ALEXANDER BEGG
C.C.
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HISTORY
OF
BRITISH COLUMBIA
FROM ITS EARLIEST DISCOVERY TO THE
PRESENT TIME.
ALEXANDER BEGG
C.C., F.R.C.I.
ILLUSTRATED.
TORONTO:
WILLIAM BRIGGS.
MONTREAL: C. W. COATES. HALIFAX: S. F. HUESTIS.
1894.
Entered, according to the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand eight
hundred and ninety-four, by ALEXANDER BEGG, C.C., Victoria, B.C., at the Department of
Agriculture, Ottawa.
PREFACE.
IT HAS BEEN REMARKED that "a man may be ignorant of the laws
•of his country, but with ordinary intelligence he is not excusable, if
he be unacquainted with its history." This remark should only be
.applied to those who have the means of becoming well informed, and
neglect to avail themselves of opportunities within their reach.
HISTORICALLY, British Columbia has, hitherto, had comparatively
an unwritten record. It is true, that within the last thirty years,
many pamphlets and books respecting the Province have been written,
but they were principally confined to climatic, geographical and
•descriptive matters ; hence the present effort of the Author to search
for, gather, and compile, from such sources as were available, as full
And complete a record as possible of this interesting portion of the
Dominion. The result is this work now placed before the public, in
the hope that it may interest and benefit the reading community.
The "modern history" relating to the recent official visit of the
-Governor-General to British Columbia, is given at some length, as it
refers to many provincial topics of importance, and gives evidence of
the continued loyal feeling of the people of the Province to Queen
Victoria and the British throne.
The lamented death of the Premier of Canada, at Windsor Castle,
12th December, 1894, is noted. Hon. Mackenzie Bowell, Minister
-of Trade and Commerce, favorably known in British Columbia, re
Australian Trade and the Pacific Cable, at the request of Lord
Aberdeen, accepted the Premiership.
A new historical feature, namely, THE APPENDIX MAP, showing the
line of the Canadian Pacific Railway across the continent, also the
IV PREFACE.
routes used by the brigades of the early, fur-traders, from the Pacific
coast and New Caledonia to Hudson Bay and Montreal, will be found
useful and instructive.
The thanks of the author are due to not a few in the city of
Victoria who have assisted in supplying material for this history ;
especially the Deputy Provincial Secretary for affording access to the
provincial records and archives ; to the Provincial Auditor and the
Assistant Auditor for the warm interest they manifested in the early
progress of the work.
ALEXANDER BEGG, C.C.
December, 1894.
ERRATA.
Page 122— For " 1847," read " 1860."
u 124 it "March," read "June."
ii 131 .. "1832," read "1830."
,, 167— Instead of "travelled along with the annual express," read " followed the Koofcenav
Pass through the Rockies."
,, 176— Read " Dr. McLoughlin retired from the service in 1846."
u 177 — Instead of "Chief Factor John Lees," read "John Lee Lewis."
ii 178— Read ".Mr. Anderson married Miss Birnie in 1836."
u 183 ii "Chief named Tranquille," instead of "Wanquille."
u 201 ii "Chief Justice Cameron was succeeded by Mr. Needham in 1865, who, in 1870,
was transferred, etc.
it 202— In obituary notice (tenth line from bottom), instead of "Judge of the Court of the
Colony of Vancouver Island," read "Colony of British Columbia"; and instead of
"simultaneously, &c.," note that Mr. Begbie was created Chief Justice of the
Mainland of British Columbia by " An Ordinance to regulate the Supreme Courts
of Justice," passed 1st March, 1869, which also denned the title of the Chief Justice
of Vancouver Island then held by Mr. Needham. That Ordinance provided
that, upon a vacancy of the office of either of the then Chief Justices, the two
Supreme Courts should be merged into one, the remaining Chief Justice to preside
over it, to be known as the Chief Justice of British Columbia. The resignation of
Chief Justice Needham created a vacancy, which was filled by Chief Justice Begbie,
under an Ordinance passed 22nd April, 1870, when both Supreme Courts were
united, under the Chief Justiceship of Sir Matthew B. Begbie.
n 203 — For "Carej7," read "Gary."
,, 207— For " Joseph Yates," read " James Yates."
u u u "Yates and Skinner," read "Skinner, No. 2," and "Yates, No. 4."
,, 233 u " two officers, one Staff Assistant Surgeon, and eighteen non-commissioned officers
and men," read " three officers, one Staff Assistant Surgeon, and one hundred and
eighteen non-commissioned officers and men."
ii 245 M " Sankster," read "Sangster"; also in page 246.
u 248 M "A. J. Dallas," read "A. Grant Dallas."
ii 373 u "Bouce, Henry," read "Bruce, Henry."
,, ,, M "Medure, John," read "Maclure, John."
,, ,, i, "June, John," read " Jane, John."
H M u " Simple, Robert," read " Semple, Robert."
,. 386 i, " Philip Hawkin," read "Philip J. Hankin."
u 388 u " Edward Howard Saunders," read "Edward Howard Sanders."
n u After "Montague Tyrwhitt Drake," insert "John Sebastian Helmcken."
ii u Omit the word "Hon." before "John Robson."
n 393— For " Bernard," read " Carroll."
„ 406 „ "William Smith," read " William Smithe."
,, 407 n "Mr. Reed," read "Mr. James Reid."
n 443 n " Alex. Graham," read " James Allan Grahame."
it 444 — Omit the word " Chief" before " Commissioner."
u 447— For "George C. Turnstall," read "George C. Tunstall."
H H n " T. Fannin," read " J. Fannin."
n 449 n "Captain John Irvine," read "Captain John Irving."
it 466— After " Mr. Cridge " (third line from top), read " now Bishop Cridge " ; for 1^3 aw " (line
11), read "Burr."
n 469 — For "Miss Vieuseaux," read "Mrs. Vieuseaux."
n 470 ,, " Robert C. Carey," read " Herbert C. Carey."
u 473— Read "the number, &c., equals the demand."
H 474— After " Hector M. Stramberg," read " B. A."
n n In last line, for " High Schools," read ^ Public Schools."
n 475 — In fourth line from top, read "monthly" instead of "quarterly."
n 494— For "Rev. T. P. Jenns," read "Rev. P. Jenns."
n 495 i, " H. C. Tiedman," read "H. O. Tiedemann."
it 497— Third line from top, for " Owen Sound," read " Collingwood."
" 499— Second line from top, after "held," read "their first meeting in St. Andrew's Church,
Vancouver; their second meeting," &c., "and their third in Knox Church,
Calgary, May 2nd, 1894."
,i 536— Read " Hon. J. H. Turner and Mrs. Turner."
n 546 — Instead of " John," read " Alexander" Rocke Robertson.
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTORY.
PAGE
1-A continuous history. 2-Arranged in chronological periods.
3-The pre-historic period. Early navigators. Captain Cook
(1778). 4-The fur-trading period. 5-Francis Drake. 6-
The first arrival at Nootka. 7-The second British navigator.
8-Captain John Meares (1788). 9-The great navigator, Cap-
tain George Vancouver (1792-3-4). 10-Alexander Mackenzie
(1793). 11-The North- West Company and New Caledonia
(1808). 12-Union of the companies (1821). 13-Lease of
Alaska (1839). 14-Fort Camosun selected (1842). 15-Fort
Victoria erected (1843). 16-First officer in charge (1844).
17-Gold discovered (1848). 18-The colonial period (1849).
19- Colonization, settlement and representative govern-
ment (1856). 20- A second crown colony (1858). 21-British
Columbia. 22-Its boundaries defined (1858 and 1863). 23-
Governor Douglas knighted (1863). Succeeded by Captain
Kennedy (1864). 24-Union of the Colonies (1866). Frederick
Seymour (1864-66, 1869). 25-The Royal City (1859). 26- Vic-
toria surveyed. Its boundaries (1852). 27, 28, 29-The beau-
ties of Victoria (1862). 30-Other beautiful scenery— New
Westminster. 31-Nanaimo — Its spacious bay. 32- Vancouver
City. 33-Kamloops. 34- The last of the colonial governors —
Anthony. Musgrave (1869-71)- 35- What comes afterwards?
The Confederation period (1871-94) 7-15
SECTION I.— EARLY DISCOVERIES.
OHAPTER I. — Captain Cook's third voyage— His commission and
instructions — Reward of £20,000— Reached Nootka, 1778 — '
Indian village and surly chiefs — Captain Cook leaves
Nootka — On the northward voyage finds a different type
of natives — The North-West passage improbable — Among
the walruses — Returns south along the coast of Russia to
the Sandwich Islands — Death of Captain Cook— Captain
Clerke returns north — His death— Captain Gore succeeds to
the command of the expedition — Lieutenant King becomes
captain of the Discovery — The expedition reaches England,
having lost both commanders 17-24
SECTION II.— THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD.
OHAPTER I. — Expeditions organized — Pioneer trader Hanna
reaches Nootka, 1785 — British navigators : Scott, Meares,
Portlock, Dixon — Barclay, accompanied by Mrs. Barclay —
Two British vessels arrive under command of Captain
Strange, 1786 — United States flag and traders — Gray and
Kendrick, 1788— Meares at Friendly Cove, 1788— John Me-
VI CONTENTS.
Kay remains at Nootka — Maquilla and Callicum — Their fleet
—Indian music — Presents and building site — House building
— Fortification — Friendly natives — !Sad end of Callicum —
Inhuman conduct of a Spanish officer. ..... 25-31
CHAPTER II. — Memorial from Captain Meares — Seizures by the
Spaniards — Launch of the North-West A merica— Message
from King George III. to the House of Commons — Approved
by the House of Lords. 32-41
CHAPTER III. — The Spanish reply — Extravagant claims — Special
Pleading — Reply by the British ambassador— Spain and
France combine against Britain — Preparations for war —
Family compact — Fitz Herbert's proposals accepted. . . 42-5O
CHAPTER IV. — Captain Vancouver's appointment — Officers under
his command — The ships leave the Thames, taking the
route via Cape of Good Hope — Call at the Sandwich Islands —
Reach Straits of Fuca, April, 1792 — Explorations commenced
at Puget Sound — Meet Spanish vessels — Circumnavigate the
large island (now Vancouver Island) — Reception at Nootka,
August, 1792 — The Spanish question discussed by Quadra
and Vancouver — Death of Quadra. ..... 50-54
CHAPTER V. — Important state papers — Fresh evidence — Com-
missioners appointed to assess damages sustained by Cap-
tain Meares — Withdrawal of the Spanish fleet — Kendrick
attempts to secure large tracts of land — Surveys of 1793—
Fur trade along the coast — Winter at Sandwich Islands. . 55-59
CHAPTER VI. — Mackenzie's overland journey to the Pacific — His
qualifications and enterprise — The westward route— Alex-
ander McKay — Head-waters of Peace River — He reaches a
river flowing southerly — Supposes it to be the river
Columbia — Alarming intelligence — Mutiny threatened — They
leave their boat and proceed on foot 60-68-
CHAPTER VII. — Mackenzie's trouble with guides — He shaves his
beard — Hugging and hospitality — Reaches the Pacific shore
— Inscription on the rock— Dr. Sandford Fleming's opinion
— Mackenzie knighted — Later particulars from Dr. Masson,
of Edinburgh. 69-81
CHAPTER VIII. — Vancouver's explorations continued — His
voyage and surveys north — The Nootka difficulty settled —
The British flag unfurled at Nootka over the land restored
— The sea-otter trade — Great profits — Trouble with the
Indians — Their tactics — Capture of the Boston— Jewett's ac-
count— Another attack — Russian project — Astoria founded
on the Columbia River, 1810— The Tonquin — Alexander
Mackay — Intoxicating liquor. ...... 81-91
CHAPTER IX. — Explorations and fur-trading on the mainland —
Simon Eraser's great exploit — His journal — Reaches the
great river in 1806 — Supplies arrive, 1807— Preparations com-
pleted, 1808— Fraser's journal — Cascades, canyons and whirl-
pools— Thompson River — Jackass Mountain— Spuzzum. . 92-95-
CONTENTS. vii
VAGB
CHAPTER X. — David Thompson, the astronomer — .Joins the
North- West Company — Crosses the Rockies at Bow River
Pass in 1800— Howe's Pass in 1807— Kootenay, 1809— Mouth
of Columbia, 1811 — Fort Kamloops— Simon Eraser's retire-
ment— Sandford Fleming's reference to David Thompson —
North-West Company — Original partners— Plan of operations
— Great success in 1783 — The X. Y. Company — Long credit
— Founders of the fur trade — Business in 1798 — Guides,
equipment, canoes and crews — The early traders deserve credit 95- 104
CHAPTER XI. — Operations on the Columbia River — Establishment
of Astoria — The new administration — Alexander Henry — Ross
Cox — Donald MacTavish — Flathead Indians — Alexander
Ross, a passenger on the Tonqnin — Gabriel Franchere's nar-
rative— The war sloop Racoon — Cause of the war — The rivalry
which existed — Brought before Parliament — Reconciliation . 105-110
CHAPTER XII. — Union of the North- West Company and the
Hudson Bay Company— Charter of H. B. Co., 1670— The
new Governor, Sir George Simpson — Explorations and geo-
graphical discoveries — Division of departments — Classification
of officers— Growth of H. B. Co. from 1789 to 1856. . . 111-114
CHAPTER XIII. — Native tribes and civilization — Indian popula-
tion in 1852 and 1892 — Educational grants to industrial
schools — Superintendent's report — Deserted villages. . . 115-119
CHAPTER XIV. — Primitive Indian regulations — The systems con-
trasted— Wars and massacres — Policy of the British fur com-
panies— Servants held responsible — "Daughters of the Land "
—Half-breed women and children in 1817. . . 119-121
CHAPTER XV. — Fort Vancouver — An extensive concern — A well-
managed farm — Walla Walla — Annual accounts made up at
Fort Colville — Annual expeditions — Convention of 1818 —
Supplementary license — The Alaska boundary impracticable
— Trade with Russia and the interior of New Caledonia— No
money required — Equivalents in 1733 and a hundred years
later — Evidence before the House of Commons in 1857 — Death
of Dr. J. Rae, the explorer. . . 122-128
CHAPTER XVI. — Sundry expeditions — Kamloops and Fort Lang-
ley — Sir George Simpson at Fort St. James, 18213 — Stuart
Lake — James Douglas — From the Atlantic to the Pacific—
The route and time occupied — A former journey mentioned —
David Douglas — The Douglas fir — Robert Campbell — Dr.
Dawson — Early experience of James Douglas (afterwards Sir
James) — His experience in New Caledonia — Fort Connolly —
Tragedy at Fort St. James— Hairbreadth escapes — McLough-
lin and Douglas — Promotion for Douglas— Russian Fur Com-./''
pany — Alaska Treaty — Lease of Alaska from Russia (1838-9)^
to Hudson Bay Co. — Armed fleet — Settlers arriving — Ban-
croft moralizes — The boundary question — A noble act
Douglas rescues Lassertes — Roderick Finlayson — Arrival at
Vancouver — Fort Langley — Took possession of Fort Stickeen
—Douglas at Sitka— Fort Taku built, 1840-1— Narrow escape
of Finlayson — Return of the Beaver to Puget Sound. . . 128-145
Vlll • CONTENTS.
PAQB
CHAPTER XVII. — Sir George Simpson's visit, 1841 — His route —
Edmonton — Fort Colville — Fort Vancouver — Interesting
visits — "Confusion of tongues" at Cowlitz River — Puget
Sound farms — North to Fort Simpson and Stickeen — Sitka —
Governor Etholin — Immense trade — Fur seals — Teetotalism
— Permission to marry — Change of headquarters — Foit Van-
couver described — Large farms in 1841 — Settlement, 1839 —
Sandwich Islands— Thence to Sitka 146-153
CHAPTER XVIII. — Fort Camosun (Victoria) selected — Forts Taku
and .Stickeen — Flags half-mast — No more rum — The year
1843, a semi-centennial mark — Mackenzie and Vancouver,
1793 — Fort Victoria built — Expedition from Fort Vancouver
—Father Bolduc — Men from the north — Expeditious work —
The very best men — Douglas and McLoughlin — Roderick
Finlaysori — Cowichins help themselves — Covetous chiefs —
How Finlayson dealt with them — The pipe of peace smoked
—Ships direct from England to Victoria, 1845— Whalers. . 154-166
CHAPTER XIX. — The territory to be divided — Captain Gordon's .,
arrival — Royal Engineers — Warre and Vavasour — ' ' Fifty-four 6^
forty or fight " — Sir Rich. Pakenham — United States claims —
Great Britain's arguments — Oregon boundary, 1827 — Conven-
tion of 1790 — Oregon treaty passed, 1846 — Free navigation
of the Columbia — Correspondence relative to Straits of Fuca
boundary — A fair proposition from Mr. Crompton, 1848 —
Delayed until 1856 — H. B. Co.'s business flourishing at Vic-
toria under Mr. Finlayson — Paul Kane — Dr. McLoughlin
retires — Alexander Mackay's widow — Hudson Bay Company
indemnified — A. C. Anderson— High duties— Discovery of
gold in California — Gold nuggets — Removal of Factor Doug-
las and family to Victoria, 1849 — First notice received — Great
excitement — Coal discovered — J. W. Mackay — Forts Langley
ancLYale — Fort Thompson — John Tod — Horse flesh used for
food. . . . 166-184
CHAPTER XX. — Colonization introduced — Immigration and miners
— Proposal to colonize — Grant of Vancouver Island, 1849 —
Rent, seven shillings per annum — Circular issued by the
Hudson Bay Company — Conditions of settlement — Report to
be made every two years to Secretary of State. . . . 184-188
SECTION HI.- THE COLONIAL PERIOD.
CHAPTER I.— Governor Blanshard appointed, 1849— Reaches Vic-
toria, 1850 — Pessimistic remarks by "Bancroft" — Fort Rupert
— The Muir family — Coal mining in 1853 — Governor Blan-
shard visits Fort Rupert — Dr. Helmcken appointed first
magistrate in the colony — Desertion of sailors — Three men
% murdered — Rewards offered — Dr. Helmcken and Blenkinsop
—Petition from the settlers — Provisional Council nominated
— Captain Grant's colony — A large reserve — Another grievance
— Governor Blanshard dissatisfied — He departs for England,
September, 1851 — Governor Douglas sworn in, November,
1851 — Complimentary notice — Lieutenant-Govern or of Queen
Charlotte Islands. . . . 189-200
CONTENTS. ix
PAGB
CHAPTER II. — Governor Douglas nominates his Council — Chief
Justice Cameron appointed — Chief Justice Needham — Chief
Justice Begbie — Petition from the settlers — Licenses for
revenue— Legislature established, June, 1856— The first elec-
tions— Dr. Helmcken's speech — Meeting of the Legislature —
Speech from the Throne by Governor Douglas— The "happy
family" — Group of the pioneer legislators (Skinner should
have been No. 2 and Yates No. 4) — Rev. Robert J. Staines
— Reminiscences . . . 201-219
CHAPTER 111. — Charter and license repealed— The monopoly — The
subject before the British Parliament, 1857 — Gold excitement
on Fraser River— Governor requested for the mainland — Lord
Lytton's despatches— Governor Douglas is made Governor of t
the mainland by a separate Commission for the colony of
British Columbia — Full instructions — Royal Engineers —
Colonel Moody— Captain Parsons. 219-232
CHAPTER IV. — Further instructions and appointments — Aborigines
Protection Society — Judge Begbie 's Commission — Lord Lyt-
ton's confidence in Governor Douglas — Collector of Customs
— Miners' licenses — Military assistance — Road construction — -
Peter Brown's murder — The murderer produced — Tried to
shoot the Governor — Marines and blue jackets. . . . 232-239
CHAPTER V. — The San Juan Boundary Question — Straits of Fuca
—The Boundary Commissioners — Captain Prevost's view —
Mr. Campbell's contention — Lord Russell's despatch — Squat-
ters on San Juan Island — Collectors Sankster and Ebey —
Senator W. J. Mucdonald — Sheep sold to pay taxes — The two
national flags unfurled — Doubtful characters— General Harney
—Difficulty about Cutler's pig— Mr. Dallas, Dr. Tolmie and
Mr. Fraser— Mr. Griffin's letter and reply 240-250
CHAPTER VI. — A collision prevented by Governor Douglas — Vis-
count Milton — Captmi Pickett — Joint occupation of San
Juan Island — The peace-maker ! — Additional letters — A
double game — Ready for a broidside — Casey's report — Pre-
paring for war — Harney supers 3ded — General Scott's instruc-
tions— Lord Lyons to Mr. Cass — Joint military occupation
pending settlement — Whiskey sellers cause trouble — The
decision of the Emperor of Germany 251-262
CHAPTER VII. — The gold discoveries — Rapid spread of mining
news — Thompson and Fraser Rivers — The natives jealous —
Golden "aurora borealis " — Crews desert vessels — Well orga-
nized—Overland route— Indian fortifications — Fires and
counter fires — The prowling savages follow — Over thirty thou-
sand people — Gold dust on deposit — Tovvnsend and Whatcom
— Rates of passage — War vessels — Governor Douglas visited
the mainland — The fur trade superseded — A standard license —
Provisions scarce Indians dislike the " B< ston men "—Party
of miners formed - A skirmish — Peace restored — Conference
at Government House — Decision of the Council on navigation
laws and Fraser River. . 263-273
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII. — Second meeting of the Legislature, 1858 — Water
supply — Bill of Supply for the year — Education — Schools
examined by Mr. Cndge — Impromptu speech by Governor
Douglas to the miners — Free port of Victuria — Public notices
— Search after gold — Graphic description. .... 274-283
CHAPTER IX. — Mining regulations — Puget Sound Agricultural
Company — The African race— Spirituous liquor— -Difficulties
between the miners and natives — Governor Douglas and party
proceed to the mainland — Commissioners appointed — New
map of Victoria — Streets named — Road-cutting expedition —
Fort Langley — Whiskey, powder and shot — Governor Douglas
resigned Hudson Bay Company factorship — Proclaimed Gov-
ernor of British Columbia — Ceremonies at Fort Langley —
Proclamations issued — Sale of Langley town lots — Name
changed to Derby 284-291
CHAPTER X.— Increased trade — Comparative view of imports —
The current year of 1858 — New buildings — Colonel Moody's
arrival — Lieut. Mayne of the Plumper — Desperate characters
at Hills Bar — Royal Engineers — Marines and blue jackets —
FoyXXangley and Fort Hope— Canoe trip — Floating ice —
Narrow escapes — Struck on Cornish Bar — Hospitable treat-
ment at Yale. .... . . . 291-297
CHAPTER XL — Colonel Moody holds church service— Orderly and
attentive congregation of miners — Edward McGowaii com-
mits an assault — Explanations — Peace restored — McGowan
obliged to flee — Salute at Fort Hope — Captain Lewis — Site of
New Westminster examined and selected — Derby abandoned
— Romantic Sapperton — Queensborough — Sale of lots. . . 297-302
CHAI;TER XII. — Missionary Duncan- -His great success among the
natives — H.M.S. Satellite — Free passage — Sailed December,
1856, reached Vancouver Island June, 1857 — The first Pro-
testant missionary — Roman Catholic priests — Their mode of
teaching — ]£o.rjb .Simpson — Attempt to murder Duncan — Un-
welcome visitors — Onerous duties — Indian schools — Assist-
ance for Duncan — He chooses a new site — Met-lah-kat-lah —
Mr. Tugwell. 302-307
CHAPTER XIII. — New Year receptions — New school-house — New
missions established — Queensborough surveyed by the Royal
Engineers — First public service— Express companies — Postal
rates — Colonel Moody's residence— Public Buildings in Vic-
toria, 1859 — Parliament and public buildings in progress of
construction, 1893— United States currency — Messages from
Governor Douglas 307-316
CHAPTER XIV.— Gold plentiful— Details of gold mining— The
prospector's pan — How it is used — The " rocker " or "cradle "
— How worked — Sluicing— Mining at Hills Bar — Water regu-
lations—An inch of water — Hydraulic mining— Scientific
mining. 316-321
CONTENTS. XI
CHAPTER XV. — Large gravel deposits — Hydraulic mining in
Cariboo — Similar work in California — Quartz mining — Other
rich gold regions — Mode of treating the ora— Quartz mill —
Rush of miners not as great in 1859 — Queens borough pro-
claimed port of entry — Settlement on Vancouver Island —
Land sold by auction— Queensborough — Name changed to
New Westminster, July, 1859 — Report and despatch, October,
1859, from Governor Douglas to the Duke of Newcastle —
Expedition to Queen Charlotte Islands — Major Downie's
report— Skeena River — Babine Lake, one hundred miles long
— " Hunting for gold " — Coast Indians — Small-pox — The men
dissipated and dangerous — The women degraded — A grateful
husband — Polygamy. ... .... 321-328
CHAPTER XVI.— The Clergy Reserve question — Rev. E. Cridge —
Salary of the chaplain— Agreement with Hudson Bay Com-
pany— A startling fact — Opposition to Clergy Reserves — Sun-
dry opinions — Rev. Wm. F. Clark — Public sentiment re-
spected— The second general election, 1860 — Judge Begbie's
report — Non-residence of officials — Mount Baker. . . 329-333
CHAPTER XVII. — Gold mining transactions and returns — Five
thousand men employed in 1861 — In the Cariboo country,
1,500 — The earnings — The lucky ones— Value of the gold
dust— The official table, 1858 to 1893, inclusive. . . . 334-336
CHAPTER XVIII. — Missionary work — Various denominations —
Church of England — Methodist — Society for the Propagation
of the Gospel — Duncan —Cridge — Crosby — Tugwell — Rev.
Dr. Sheldon Jackson — His account of Mr. Duncan's early life
— Duncan's arrival at Fort Simpson — Tsimpsean Indians,
2, 300 — Human depravity — Medicine-men — Dog-eaters — Fire-
water— Singing and dancing — School opens, 1858 — Removal
to Met-lah-kat-lah in 1862— The regulations adopted— Old
ties broken — Bishop Hills visits the village in 1863 — Bap-
tizes fifty-seven adults — One thousand people— Band of
twenty -four instruments — Mission at Massett — Average atten-
dance at church service, 350 — Mr. Collison, 1878 — Rev.
George Sneath — Death of a chief — Alert Bay Mission. . . 337-344
CHAPTER XIX. — Royal Engineers — Extensive surveys — Reports
made by Lieutenants Mayne and Palmer — Mayne's journey
along the Thompson and other rivers — Fort Kamloops — How
the Hudson Bay Company officers live — Their character—
Shuswap chief — The dwelling or hut— Walter Moberly, C.E.,
arrives — Hardships — Tries mining — Return trip and poor
luck — Receives appointment from Colonel Moody — Heavy
bill at a country hotel — Partner with Mr. Dewdney — Public
works — Proclamation — Cariboo Road and Royal Engineers,
1861— Messrs. Trutch and Spence hold (1862) contracts to
build portions of the road. ....... 345-351
CHAPTER XX.— ^A resident governor asked for — Delegation waits
on Governor Douglas — A representative assembly wanted
(1861) — Petition to the Crown — A lengthy and exhaustive
reply to the memorial in twenty-six paragraphs . . . 352-358-
Xll CONTENTS.
PAOK
CHAPTER XXI. — Roads and salaries — Expenditure for roads —
Separate governors proposed — Despatch, Juno 15th, 1863 —
Legislative council to be constituted in British Columbia —
Salaries of officers in Vancouver Island colony — Salaries in
British Columbia — A difficult problem— A new legislature to
be elected and convened similar to that already existing in
Vancouver Island colony — Ey~officio members nominated . 358-361
CHAPTER XXII. — Governor Douglas knighted, 1863 — His com-
mission as governor of Vancouver Island colony lapses — A
popular governor — Commission as governor of British Colum-
bia terminates in 1864 — Closes his term at New Westminster
— Enthusiastic farewell procession —Governor Kennedy to
succeed Douglas in Vancouver Island— He arrives, March,
1864 — Governor Seymour succeeds Douglas in British
Columbia — He arrives, April, 1864 — A proposition to unite
both colonies under one governor — Resolutions passed at
public meetings for and against the union — Victoria and New
Westminster agree to be united — Legislative Assembly, 1865,
passes union resolutions — Despatch transmitted by Governor
Kennedy to Colonial Secretary — Amor de Cosmos . . 362-367
CHAPTER XXIII. — Governor Seymour opposes union — Despatch
to Secretary Cardwell — He writes from Paris — On his mar-
riage tour — Petition from 445 residents in British Colombia
in favor of union — Effort to have permanent seat of govern-
ment at New Westminster — Royal Engineers disbanded, 1863
—Those remaining, 1894 ... ... 368-373
CHAPTER XXIV. — Further surveys for roads and railways — Mr.
Moberly instructed to superintend the work — The Columbia
River route — The " Big Bend " and Yellow-head Pass — Gov-
ernor Seymour ceases to oppose the union of the colonies —
His speech, 1808 — Confederation memorial from Victoria,
1868, to the Governor-General of Canada— Hon. S. L. Tilley's
reply — Discussions on the Pacific Railway — Alfred Wadding-
ton — Bute Inlet route — Confederation League formed — The
Dominion takes action — Open-air meeting at Barkerville —
Rousing speeches — Babbitt and Booth — Delegates appointed
to attend the Yale convention 374-381
CHAPTER XXV. — Preparations for Confederation — Convention at
Yale — Committee appointed — They report in favor of the
immediate admission of British Columbia into the Dominion
— Contrary vote in the Legislative Council — Legislature pro-
rogued, March, 1869— Death of Dr. Davie— Death of Gover-
nor Seymour —Governor Musgrave appointed — His early
career— Trip to Cariboo — Despatch from Lord Granville—
Legislature meets, February, 1870 — Postage rate, six cents. . 382-387
CHAPTER XXVI. — Union with Canada — Resolutions framed — The
Legislature of British Columbia — Ready for work of 1 he ses-
sion— Outline of terms of union — The great Confederation
debate — Discussion lasts from 9th March to 23rd April— Dele-
gates Dr. Helmcken, Trutch and Bernard chosen by the
Executive to present terms of union to Commons, Ottawa —
Terms agreed on, July 7th, 1870 — Afterwards ratified by
British Columbia. . 388-397
CONTENTS. xil!
PAGB
CHAPTER XXVII. — Terms of Union guarantee — Change in the
Constitution of British Columbia— -Railway to be completed
in ten years — Electoral districts formed — The new council,
elected November, 1870, meets January 5th, 1871 — Speaker-
ship declined — Legislature opened by Governor Musgrave —
Important considerations — Address to the Queen— Responsi-
ble Government— Old map discovered — Motion by Dr.
Helmckeii— Map called in — British claims admitted — A big
threat — Admission of British Columbia to the Union — Ban-
quet to Mr. Truich at Ottawa — Explanations — Sandford
Fleming appointed Chief Engineer to Pacific Railway — Clos-
ing remarks by Governor Musgrave — Harmonious relations —
Complimentary addresses — Created a knight — Civil Engineers
Moberly, Maclennan, etc. — Marcus Smith — Various Impor-
tant surveys. 397-404
SECTION IV.— THE CONFEDERATION PERIOD.
CHAPTER I. — The first Lieutenant-Governor — Visit of Hon. Mr.
Langevin —Cariboo— His report — First Legislative Assembly
under Confederation — List of members — Bills passed — Sena-
tors appointed — Representatives at Ottawa — Richardson's
report of surveys — Marcus Smith — Seymour Narrows —
Yellow-head Pass — Sandford Fleming — Memoir — Pacific Rail-
way— Ocean to ocean — Principal Grant — Professor Macoun —
The Pacific Ocean cable 405-414
CHAPTER II. — Three routes surveyed — Source of Fraser River-
Route to Burrard Inlet selected — Cost of survey up to 1878 —
Subsidy and land grant — Charter applied for — Sir Hugh
Allan — Huntingdon's statement — Committee to investigate —
Mackenzie's administration — Meeting of British Columbia
Legislature, 1873— Esquimalt dry-dock— Visit to England by
Mr. De Cosmos — Protest against the continued breach of
terms of Union — Hon. Mr. Walkem proceeds to England to
present petition — The "Carnarvon terms" — Mr. Edgar's
mission — Further railway surveys. ..... 415-422
CHAPTER III. — Surveys in the interior — Mr. Jarvis — Great hard-
ships— Meeting of Legislature, 1876 —Resignation of Walkem
government — The Mongolian question— Lord Dufferin's visit
— Would not pass under an objectionable arch — Declined to
receive an address from a deputation — Public feeling —
Poetry on the subject — Mackenzie defended— Lord Dufferin's
tour — His celebrated speech — Sir John A. Macdonald again
premier. 423-428
CHAPTER IV. — A new syndicate — Terms of construction —
Subsidy — First sod on Canadian Pacific turned, 1880 — Bridge
across the Fraser — Seven thousand men employed — A daring
feat — Esijuimalt and Nanaimo railway — The railway belt —
Dry-dock transferred to the Dominion — Conditions— Captain
Devereaux — Impregnable fortifications 429-434
XIV CONTENTS.
I'AGK
CHAPTER V. — Transfer of the Canadian Pacific Railway — The
general manager — Lord Lome and the Princess Louise — Visit
to British Columbia — Sir Charles Tupper — Lord Lansdowne's
visit — Party of railway directors — Union of east and west —
Ceremony of driving the "golden spike "— The first through
train. . 434-440
CHAPTER VI. — New management of Hudson Bay Company —
Members of Board — Messrs. Work, Dr. Tolmie, Mactavish
and Grahame — Chief commissioner — Messrs. Charles and
Munro— Thomas R. Smith— Robert H. Hall— C. C. Chipman. 440-444
CHAPTER VII. — New route of travel — Geological examinations —
Dr. Selwyn's extended explorations — Gold seekers in 1862
— Ninety Red River carts — Yellow-head Pass — An unfortu-
nate trip — The survivors— Public museum — Mr. Fannin —
Captain Palliser's report adverse — Dr. G. M. Dawson, 1875,
1877 and 1879— Valuable geological reports .... 445-449
CHAPTER VIII. — Travel and trade facilities — The Canadian Navi-
gation Company — Manager John Irving — Canadian Pacific
Railway Company's line — The- three Empresses — Log of the
Empress of India — Around the world — Canadian and Austra-
lian line — The proposed Pacific cable — Hon. Mr. Bowell —
Sandford Fleming — Trade of Hawaiian islands — Northern
Pacific Steamship Company — Pacific Coast Steamship Com-
pany— Puget Sound and Alaska Steamship Company — The
Comox line — The Canadian Pacific Railway — Three of the
directors created knights — The steamer Beaver — First on the
North Pacific — Comparative size of the present steamships —
View of Beaver and Indian canoes (see also page 501 for
canoes and totems) ........ 449-457
CHAPTER IX. — Railways, coal deposits and gold -Railways in
course of construction — Projected lines — Nakusp and Slocan
railway — Nicola Valley railway — Extraordinary coal deposits
— Analysis — Seam thirty feet thick — Abundant supply — Van-
couver island mines— Nanaimo — Mining for gold — Dredging
for gold — West Kootenay district rich in ores — East Kootenay
gives great promise — Assays — Nelson — Skylark mine —
Kootenay triumphs 458-463
CHAPTER X. — Education — Hudson Bay Company provide first
teachers for the colony of Vancouver Island — Robert J.
Stain es and wife arrive, 1849— Mr. Staines proposes to
return to England in 1853, but is drowned — Rev. Mr.
Cridge (now Bishop) arrives, 1855 — The agreement made
with the Hudson Bay Company — Appointed honorary super-
intendent of education — His report of examinations, 1&61 —
Alfred Waddington, superintendent, 1865— Governor Sey-
mour refuses any aid to public schools, after union of colo-
nies— After Confederation Provincial Government organized
a non-sectarian school system — Mr. Jessop first superinten-
dent after Confederation— Visit of Lord Dufferin, 1876, to
public schools of Victoria — Promised three medals — C. C.
Mackenzie next superintendent of schools, 1878— S. D.
CONTENTS. XV
PAOR
Pope, present superintendent, appointed 1884 — The "school-
master's friend " — Great increase in school attendance — A most
efficient board of examiners — Free education — No separate
schools— Synopsis of amended School Act, 1894 — Two school
inspectors — Prize medals continue to be distributed by the
Dominion Governors — The prize medallists — High schools —
Value of school property — View of two Victoria schools—
Craigflower school, 1861 — Minister of Education, Col. Baker
— Death of Hon. John Robson, referred to in school report
of 1892 . . . 464-476
^CHAPTER XI. — Ecclesiastical — Roman Catholic missionaries early
in the field — Bishop Demers — Father Lootens (now bishop) —
Father J. B. Bolduc— The Oblate missionaries — First Catholic
school — Many churches — The " Mother House " — Bishop
D'Herbomez— Bishop Seghers— St. Joseph hospital — Bishop
Brondel — Bishop Seghers assassinated — Bishop Lemmens —
Old and new cathedral — Separation of the mainland— First
"Vicar Apostolic" — See of Westminster — Bishop Durieu —
Eighty churches in Westminster diocese — Schools in charge
of Oblate fathers — Industrial schools for Indian children —
Communities of religious women ...... 477-484
•CHAPTER XII. — Methodist work begun in British Columbia,
1859, by Dr. Evans — Revs. White, Robson and Browning —
Governor Douglas lays corner-stone of first Methodist church
— Rev. D. V. Lucas arrives, avssistant missionary, in 1862 —
Five congregations in 1893, in Victoria — Rev. Mr. Browning,
Nanaimo — The mainland — Methodist Conference organized,
1887— Places of worship in the Province, 1893— Rev. Thomas
Crosby — Successful amongst the natives at Fort Simpson —
Church built — School established — Mrs. Crosby and Miss
Knott — Industrial fair — Revival, winter of 1877-8 — Mission
extends to Kit-a-mart, 150 miles south of Fort Simpson —
Potlatch — Nitinat Indians — Rev. J. Stone — Coqualeetza In-
dian Institute — Rev. E. Robson — College founded at New
Westminster, 1892. . . 484-492
•CHAPTER XIII. — Presbyterian — Mission field, 1858 — First mis-
sionary, 1861 — Rev. John Hall — First Presbyterian Church,
Victoria, 1863— Second missionary stationed at New West-
minster, Rev. Robert Jamieson, 1862 — Nanaimo, 1864 — Revs.
Aitken, Clyde, Anderson and Miller, until 1889— Rev. D. A.
McRae installed, 1891— Rev. Mr. Hall succeeded by Rev.
Mr. Nimmo, First Presbyterian Church, Victoria, 1865 —
Rev. J. Reid, 1876— Rev. Mr. Smith, 1881— Rev. Mr.
Gamble, 1882— Rev. Donald Fraser, 1884— Rev. Dr. Camp-
bell, 1892, the present pastor— Rev. Mr. Somerville, 1868—
Second congregation formed, St. Andrew's, 1869 — Rev. Mr.
McGregor— R. Stephen— Rev. P. McF. McLeod, 1888— New
St. Andrew's, 1890— Central Church, 1894— D. McRae, St.
Paul's, Victoria, 1891— Hev. R. G. Murison, 1894— Rapid
progress in Vancouver city — Four Presbyterian churches —
—Presbytery of Columbia, 1886— General Assembly, 1887—
New Presbytery of Calgary, 181)4 492-499
xvi CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER XIV. — Anglican— Rev. H. Beaver — Rev. Robert Stain es
—Rev. E. Cridge — Bishop Hills arrives at Es ]uimnlt, Janu-
ary, 1860— St. John's (iron) Church— Present cathedral con-
secrated, 1872 — Diocesan Synod, 1875 — Diocese divided, 1879
— Bishop Hills resigns, 1892 — Succeeded by Bishop Perrin,
1893 — Clergy endowment — Industrial Indian school, Alert
Bay— Diocese of New Westminster— Bishop Sillitoe— Christ
Church, Hope, 1>60 — Other churches — Diocese of Columbia
—Bishop Ridley— William Duncan— Industries in 1882-3. . 499-503
CHAPTER XV. — Baptist — Organized in British Columbia, 1877 —
Wm. Carne, first pastor, Victoria — Calvary Church — Em-
manuel Church, 1886 — Olivet Church, New Westminster —
First Baptist Church, 1886— Second Church, 1891— Third
Church, 1894— Nanaimo, 1890— Membership in British
Columbia. ... . 504-505
THE REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCH. — Organized, 1875-6 — Rev.
Bishop Cridge, 1875— Consecrated 1876— Site for church
granted by Sir James Douglas 505-506
CHINESE MISSIONS. — The per capita tax — 7,500 in British Columbia
— School opened, 1885 — Converts — "Girls' Rescue Home" —
Mr. Gardiner — Rev. Mr. Lipscombe — Rev. Mr. Winchester
—Mr. Brodie. . 506-507
THE SALVATION ARMY. — "Attacking force" in 1887— " Fighting
force" in 1894 — The officers in British Columbia — Meetings
of the "Army" — Attendance at meetings — Barracks at
Nanaimo— Victoria is headquarters of British Columbia —
War Cry circulation — Brass band — "Poor Man's Shelter" at
Vancouver — " Rescue Home " in Victoria. .... 508
THE CHURCH OF THE JEWS. — The ancient church — Synagogue in
Victoria— The Rabbi 508
CHAPTER XVI.— Lord Stanley of Preston— Lady Stanley, 1889—
Loyally received at Vancouver city and New Westminster —
"Stanley Park," named after his Excellency — Crosses to
Victoria — Cordially welcomed — Guests of Lieut. -Govern or
Nelson — A civic banquet given — A "superlative" speech —
The Canadian Pacific Railway — Mishap to the Ampkion. —
Narrow escape of the vice-regal party — Lord Aberdeen and
the Countess of Aberdeen visit British Columbia, 1894 — Mar-
ried in 1877 — Visit to the Coldstream ranch e— Address from
the pioneers— The Kootenay country — The maple leaf — The
party reach Vancouver city — Hotel Vancouver— His Excel-
lency and the Countess on the balcony— Three addresses pre-
sented and replied to — The Halloween banquet — Characteristic
address from the chairman— Suitable reply — The toasts of the
evening— Excellent speeches— Sandford FJeming and Mr.
Mercer — The Pacific cable — Canadian enterprise — Mackenzie
Bowell— Lady Marjorie, the youngest editress — Visit to the
schools and the court house— Competition medals promised
by the Governor-General — Art and science. . . 509-526
CONTENTS. XV11
PAGE
CHAPTER XVII. — Arrival at Victoria — Guard of honor — Sir Wil-
liam Wallace Society — Sunday services — Board of Trade —
Important address — Provincial topics — Agriculture the " back-
bone industry " — Sons of Erin — Compliment to the Countess
of Aberdeen — Public schools' welcome — Dignity of teaching —
The Minister of Education — Address by the Countess — Wee
Willie Winkie— The Alexandra Ladies' Club. . . . 526-535
CHAPTER XVIII. — Visit to Duncan's station — Addresses from
farmers and Indians — Lord Aberdeen on farming — Compli-
mentary to the railways — An evening party — The set of honor
and Scotch reels — Jubilee hospital — Chinese missions — Royal
Marine Artillery — Boys' Brigade — Special medals — Women
of Canada — Address in the theatre — National Council of
Canada — Victoria Branch — Farewell to Victoria — Wellington
mines — -At Nanaimo, the coal metropolis — Enthusiastic recep-
tion— Vancouver Coal Company's works — The vice-regal party
leave for Vancouver on steamer Joan — Kamloops — List of
governors and lieutenant-governors 536-545
CHAPTER XIX. — Parliamentary — Members of Executive — Six
parliaments — Premiers, presidents of council and speaker —
Opening of the Seventh Parliament by Lieutenant-Governor
Dewdiiey — List of members — A critique — Motion on "the
Fisheries" — Revenue for the year — Appropriation to suf-
ferers by flood in Fraser River. ...... 546-554
CHAPTER XX. — Fur sealing and the Alaska boundary — Claims by
Sealers— Treaty of 1892— Arbitration in Paris, 1893— Annual
seal catch since 1890 — President Cleveland's message, 1894 —
Photo- topography — Mount St. Elias lost to the United States
— Mount Aberdeen — United States charts — Portland Canal
beyond the treaty limit — Revilla Gigedo — Death of Sir John
Thompson 555-559
CHAPTER XXI. — Condition of the Province — Sources of and
Excess of Expenditure over Revenue — Loans, how applied —
Inscribed stock — Increase in Revenue — Expenditure for seven
years — Exemption from taxes — New buildings — The ocean
docks — Marine railway — Manufactures — Industrial Establish-
ments— Arts and sciences — The artists — Astronomy — Fruit
trees and Forestry — Lumber trade —Temporary stringency —
Growth and possibilities of trade — Colonization and free home-
steads— A great MARITIME PROVINCE 560-568
ILLUSTRATIONS.
The Author Frontispiece,
Captain Cook 18
Captain Meares 28
Launch of the "N.-W. America." 33
Captain Vancouver 50
Sir A. Mackenzie 60
Sir George Simpson 112
Dr. Dawson 133
Sir James Douglas (2nd Governor). 134
Roderick Finlayson 143
Fort Victoria (views) 160
A. C. Anderson 176
John Tod (Council) 183
Richard Blanshard (1st Governor). 189
John Muir (Council) 191
Nanaimo (view, 1853) 192
Chief Justice Cameron 201
Chief Justice Begbie 202
Captain Cooper (Council) 204
Members 1st Legislature V.I.C. . . 210
Sir Edward Bulwer (Lord) Lytton 221
Straits of San Juan de Fuca 242
Senator W. J. Macdonald 245
Chief Factor A. J. Dallas. 248
Colonel R. Moody 294
William Duncan 303
New Parliament Buildings 312
Cary Castle 333
Governor Kennedy (3rd V.I.C.). . 364
Amor de Cosmos 366
Dr. Davie 385
Governor Seymour (2nd & 4th B.C.) 386
Governor Musgrave (5th B.C.). . . 386
Lieut. -Governor Trutch 405
Hon. J. F. McCreight 406
Lieut. -Governor Cornwall 407
Sir John A. Macdonald 408
Marcus Smith 409
Sandford Fleming 411
Principal Grant 413
Hon. Alex. Mackenzie 419
Hon. Robert Beaven 421
George A. Walkem 424
A. C. Elliott 424
F. G. Vernon 425
Lieut. -Governor Richards 425
Lord Dufferin (Governor) 428
Sir William Van Home 434
Marquis of Lome (Governor) 435
The Princess Louise . 435
Marquis of Lansdowne (Governor). 437
Group, Driving Last Spike 438
Hon. John Work 440
Dr. W. F. Tolmie 441
Dugald Mactavish 442
Alexander Grahame 443
Captain Irving, M. P. P 449
Steamer "Islander " 450
Steamer " Empress of India" 451
Steamer ' ' Beaver " 456
Indian Canoes 457
Rev. Bishop Cridge 465
Craigflower School 466
Dr. Pope, LL.D 470
North Ward School, Victoria 475
South Ward School, Victoria .... 475
View of Victoria, 1892 476
Bishop Demers 477
Bishop Lootens 478
Roman Catholic Cathedral (old) . . 481
Roman Catholic Cathedral (new).. 481
Rev. E. Robson 486
Rev. Thomas Crosby 487
Duncan's Indian Church 488
Duncan's Indian Band 489
Methodist Church, Victoria (old).. 490
Methodist Church, Victoria (Met.) 490
Indian Methodist Church ..... 491
Indian Institute, Coqualeetza. . . . 491
First Presbyterian Church, Vic. . . 493
Old St. Andrew's Church, Vic. . . 494
New St. Andrew's Church, Vic. . . 497
St. Andrew's, Vancouver 498
Bishop Hills 499
St. John's (Iron Church), Victoria 500
Christ Church, Victoria 500
Indian Village and Totems, etc. . . 501
Y.M.C.A. Build'g, New Westmn'r 502
Met-lah-kat-lah Village 503
Emmanuel Baptist Church 504
Reformed Episcopal Church 505
Lord Stanley (Governor) 509
Lieut. -Governor Nelson 509
Earl of Aberdeen (Governor) 510
Countess of Aberdeen . 510
Hotel Vancouver 513
First Presbyt'n Ch., Vancouver. . 518
Homer St. Meth. Ch., Vancouver. 518
East End School, Vancouver 520
West End School, Vancouver 520
Central School, Vancouver 524
High School, Vancouver 524
Court House, Vancouver 526
Harbor of Nanaimo ; 543
J. Rocke Robertson 546
A. E. B. Davie 546
Wm. Smithe 547
C. E. Pooley (President of Council). 547
J. H. Turner (Min. of Finance). . . 548
John Robson 548
Robert Dunsmuir 548
Colonel Baker (Min. of Education). 549
Theodore Davie ( Premier) 549
G. B. Martin (Com. Lands, etc) , . 549
D. W. Higgins (Speaker) 550
Lieut. -Governor E. Uewdney .... 550
W. F. King 557
Fruit Cannery, Victoria ' 566
INTRODUCTORY.
1. A CONTINUOUS HISTORY. — Although many valuable and interest-
ing works have been written concerning BRITISH COLUMBIA, or NEW
OALEDONIA, as a portion of it was formerly designated, yet, for the
most part, each was devoted to some special object, and did not furnish
a continuous history of this portion of the British Empire ; so it
is, that up to the present no work has been published which furnishes
a consecutive, comprehensive, readable history of the country.
2. RISE AND PROGRESS. — To provide the public with such informa-
tion is the object of the present undertaking. It proposes to place
on record and elucidate to a certain extent, the rise and progress of
British Columbia from its earliest discovery to the present time. To
accomplish this in a manner which will be convenient to the reading
public, events will be arranged in chronological periods. These
periods for reference and perspicuity, will be divided into sub-divi-
sions to mark epochs as they occur, and to point out the develop-
ment of the Province from its former condition as a wilderness to its
present prosperous state.
3. THE PRE-HISTORIC PERIOD. — Of the pre-historic period, that is,
prior to the arrival of Captain JAMES COOK, on the north-west coast
of America, little need be said. The fact, however, is well estab-
lished, that when Captain Cook and other early navigators visited
the shores of the Pacific in this latitude, a very large population of
aborigines existed on the coast. Alexander Mackenzie, in his expedi-
tion across the unexplored portion of the North American continent
to the Pacific, in 1793, also found along his route a numerous popu-
lation in the interior. But, like their brethren on the coast, they did
not possess any written records. Their traditions were mythical;
and, though carved emblematically on totems of enduring cedar in
their villages along the seaboard, these emblems have not been
deciphered so as to throw any light on the origin of the native tribes.
8 INTRODUCTORY.
The number of the aborigines, since the advent of traders amongst
them, has diminished greatly, and continues to decrease year after
year.
4. THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. — The second, or the fur- trading
period, is full of interest and importance, whether considered in
connection with sea or land. It may be said to extend from 1778 to
1858, and embraces a variety of subjects. At the outset, it has to
deal with the claims of Spain to the sovereignty of the whole west coast
of America, from Cape Horn to the sixtieth degree of north latitude,
which was the assumed limit of Russian occupation on the Continent
of America. The Spaniards in Mexico claimed that they made
a voyage of exploration north from Gil Bias, 1774 or 1775, when
they touched at three points on the coast. The most northerly was
57° 18' or nearly in the latitude of Sitka ; the next mentioned was
47° 21', which is south of the Straits of Fuca : consequently they did
not land, during the voyage, on any portion of the coast which is
now included in the western frontier of British Columbia.
5. FRANCIS DRAKE. — The voyage of Francis Drake around Cape
Horn, in 1579, to the North Pacific Ocean, is so apocryphal in its
description of the northern limit he claims to have reached, that it
seems very doubtful if that voyage can, in any way, be connected with
British Columbian history.
6. THE FIRST ARRIVAL AT NOOTKA. — Captain COOK'S voyage, in
1778, therefore, gives the earliest authentic record of the discovery
by him of that portion of the west coast of America now known as
Vancouver Island. He landed at Nootka, near the centre of the
west coast of the island, and gave the place of his landing the name
which it still retains. After Captain Cook's departure, Nootka con-
tinued to be the rendezvous for vessels trading on the west coast.
O
7. THE SECOND BRITISH NAVIGATOR. — Captain JAMES HANNA is
said by Meares, in his narrative, to have been the second British
navigator who arrived at Nootka. He sailed from China in 1785,
in a vessel of only seventy tons burden, which was equipped by
merchants there and placed under his command with a crew of less
than thirty men. The narrative says, they " set sail in her to seek the
distant coast of America ; to explore its coasts, and to open such an
intercourse with the inhabitants as might tend to a future commercial
establishment with them." On his arrival at Nootka, "the natives
presuming upon the inferior size of the vessel and the limited number
of her crew, made a desperate attack upon her, which was repulsed by
INTRODUCTORY. &
the superior bravery and good conduct of their new visitors. The
hostilities soon, however, ended in commercial friendship, and a
quantity of sea-otter skins was obtained from them."
8. ANOTHER TRADING EXPEDITION. — Captain JOHN MEARES, for-
merly a lieutenant in the British navy, next occupies a prominent
and important position in the early history of British Columbia. He
arrived at Nootka, from China, on a trading expedition, in 1788.
His friendly disposition and kind treatment of the natives made him
a great favorite with them. He formed a settlement at Nootka, and
built a vessel there. Subsequently, in his absence, his ships were
seized by order of the Spanish officer who had arrived and taken
possession of the harbor, and had destroyed the houses built by him.
The treatment which he had received, and also his losses, Captain
Meares represented to the British Government, who promptly inter-
fered in the matter both for the protection of their subjects, and to
uphold the honor of the British flag.
9. THE GREAT NAVIGATOR. — Captain GEORGE VANCOUVER was
appointed by the British Admiralty to proceed to Nootka and
ascertain the amount of losses which had been sustained by Captain
Meares, and the indemnification due to the owners of the vessels
which had beeen seized by Spain. The result was that soon after
Vancouver's arrival at Nootka, in 1792, the Spanish fleet withdrew,
and the difficulty was settled by arbitration between the courts of
Great Britain and Spain. That decision secured to the British
Crown all the north-west coast from what was known as California
to the Russian trading-posts in Alaska.
10. ROUTE TO THE PACIFIC. — In 1793, ALEXANDER MACKENZIE, a
partner in the North- West Company, commenced his memorable
journey. Starting from Lake Athabaska, east of the Rocky Moun-
tains, at the most westerly station then belonging to the Company, he
traversed the unknown region westward across the Continent, thereby
pointing out the future route to the Pacific coast, and earning for
himself undying fame.
11. THE NORTH-WEST COMPANY. — Soon afterwards the North-
West Company followed up Mackenzie's explorations. They opened
trails, built and established forts in the interior of that vast region,
which was then named "New Caledonia." They traced the great
rivers of the Pacific slope — the Fraser, and the Thompson, one of its
principal affluents, and also the Columbia River — from their sources
to their outlets at the ocean. They advanced along the Columbia
10 INTRODUCTORY.
River and made their headquarters at Astoria (afterwards Fort
George), which was continued as such until 1824, when Fort Van-
couver was built on the north side of the Columbia River, -nearly
opposite the southern end of Puget Sound. Astoria, at the mouth of
the Columbia River, remained as an outpost whence goods and furs
were conveyed along the Columbia to the interior and Montreal.
12. UNION OF THE FUR COMPANIES. — An immense trade was thus
established and carried on in New Caledonia by the North- West
Company. In 1821, the North- West Company and the Hudson Bay
Company amalgamated. By so doing they extended and made more
profitable the trade that had been carried on by them at some points
at a loss, under the keen rivalry which had existed. The consoli-
dated companies retained the name of " The Hudson Bay Company."
13. LEASE OF ALASKA. — Nothing transpired after the union of the
companies to disturb the traders or hinder their prosperity, until
about the year 1839, when settlers began to arrive in Oregon from
the older portions of the United States. About this time, also, a
portion of the Alaskan coast was leased by the Hudson Bay Com-
pany from the Russian Government. The terms were stipulated at
an annual rental of $2,000, and were concluded during a conference
at Sitka, between the Company's chief factor, JAMES DOUGLAS, and
ETHOLIN, the Russian governor.
14. OREGON TREATY. — Doubts now existed as to where the dividing
line separating the United States from British territory would be
located, as formerly the northern portion of Oregon territory had
been held in common by traders of both countries. It was, there-
fore, thought prudent to prepare for the removal of the Hudson Bay
Company's headquarters on the Columbia River, to a site on the
seaboard in British territory. After full examination and careful
deliberation, Mr. Douglas decided to choose the site at CAMOSUN,
where the city of Victoria now stands. That place was selected on
account of its convenient position on the Pacific Ocean, as well as for
the ease with which it could be reached from trading-posts on the
mainland.
15. FORT VICTORIA COMMENCED. — The erection of a fort was decided
on, the building of which was commenced in 1843. A palisaded
enclosure, one hundred yards square, in which were eight log houses,
bastions, etc., was completed, ready for occupation and defence,
within seven months of the date of the commencement of laying out
the grounds. The name "Carnosuii" was continued until 1846,
INTRODUCTORY. 11
when it was changed to Victoria. Since the settlement at Nootka,
in 1788, by Captain Meares, the natives had remained in undisturbed
possession until this time.
16. THE FIRST OFFICER ix CHARGE. — Fort Victoria was, on its
completion in 1843, placed in charge of Charles Ross, who died in
1844. He was succeeded by Roderick Finlayson, who had been second
officer in the fort since the commencement of its building, and who
remained in command until 1849. At this time the Company's head-
quarters were removed from Fort Vancouver to Fort Victoria, and
Factor Douglas assumed command. He was accompanied by Chief
Factor Ogden from Fort Vancouver. Mr. Dugald McTavish re-
mained at Fort Vancouver to look after the Company's extensive
stock-raising and farming interests in the Columbia District and on
Puget Sound.
17. GOLD DISCOVERIKS. — Attention having been drawn to the pro-
gress of settlement in Oregon, it was considered proper that the British
possessions to the north of that territory should have similar advan-
tages. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 strengthened the
opinion in Great Britain that the time had arrived when the Pacific
coast and New Caledonia should become more than a mere fur-hunt-
ing preserve. To promote settlement, a grant of the whole of Van-
couver Island was made to the Hudson Bay Company on certain
conditions. The Company withdrew its trading-posts from Sitka
and other places on the north coast except Fort Simpson. The
fur-trading period was evidently drawing to a close.
18. CROWN COLONY FORMED. — The third — "The colonial period" —
dates from 1849. In that year Vancouver Island was constituted a
Crown Colony by the appointment of RICHARD BLANSHARD to the
Governorship. He arrived at Victoria, from England, via Panama,
in 1850 ; but not finding the position what he expected, he returned
the next year to London. He was succeeded by JAMES DOUGLAS, in
1851. Governor Douglas retained his then position of Chief Factor
of the Hudson Bay Company. At the time of his appointment as
Governor of the Colony of Vancouver Island, he was raised to the
dignity of " C.B."
19. COLONIZATION AND SETTLEMENT. — Representative government
was introduced into the colony in 1856. Colonization and settle-
ment made slow progress. Roads, however, were constructed and
surveys extended to meet the requirements of the people who arrived
in connection with the gold discoveries on Fraser River, and remained
12 INTRODUCTORY.
on the Island ; but as the mainland was beyond the jurisdiction of
the colony of Vancouver Island, it was found necessary to constitute
that immense territory into an independent colony.
20. A SECOND CROWN COLONY. — This was accomplished in 1858.
The governorship of the new colony was vested in Governor Douglas,
and added to that of Vancouver Island. NEW CALEDONIA was
merged into BRITISH COLUMBIA, by which designation the mainland
was thereafter to be known.
21. NEW CALEDONIA. — The boundaries of New Caledonia formerly
included the whole region from Peace River and the Rocky Moun-
tains to the Pacific Ocean. Its southern boundary was reckoned to
be the Columbia River from the outlet of that river on the Pacific
Ocean, following its course eastward to Fort Colville ; thence along
the Kootenay and Flathead Rivers, embracing Tobacco Plains, to
the Kootenay pass in the Rocky Mountains. Its northern boundary
was not defined, but reached to the Russian possessions on the
north-west.
22. BRITISH COLUMBIA BOUNDARIES DEFINED. — The Imperial pro-
clamation dated 2nd August, 1858, which constituted British Colum-
bia a colony, defined that it should be bounded on the south by the
frontier of the United States of America ; to the east by the main
chain of the Rocky Mountains ; to the north by Simpson River and
the Finlay branch of Peace River ; and to the west by the Pacific
Ocean, including Queen Charlotte Islands, but no part of the colony
of Vancouver Island.
An Imperial Act was passed in 1863 to define more particularly
the boundaries of the colony of British Columbia, specifying the
western boundary to be the Pacific Ocean and the frontier of the
Russian territories in North America ; the north to be the sixtieth
parallel of latitude; and the east, the 120th meridian of west
longitude and the summit of the Rocky Mountains.
23. GOVERNOR DOUGLAS RETIRES. — GOVERNOR DOUGLAS having in
1863 expressed a desire to retire from public life, and his term of
office terminating in 1864, was rewarded with the distinction of
knighthood, by the Crown, for his services. CAPTAIN KENNEDY
succeeded him as Governor of Vancouver Island, and retained
that office until the union of the two colonies in 1866.
24. UNION OF THE COLONIES, 1866. — In 1864, Mr. FREDERICK
SEYMOUR was appointed by the Imperial authorities to succeed
Governor Douglas as Governor of British Columbia, which position
INTRODUCTORY. 13
he occupied until the union of the colonies in 1866. Thereafter Mr.
Seymour continued as Governor of the United Colonies until his death
in 1869.
25. THE ROYAL CITY. — The site of the present city of New West-
minster was proclaimed the capital of the colony of British Columbia
in 1859, but after the union of the colonies, a proclamation dated
May 25th, 1868, declared the city of Victoria to be the seat of
government.
26. VICTORIA SURVEYED. — Between the years 1859 and 1866,
marked progress was made in and around the city of Victoria.
Building operations and improvements were carried on everywhere.
In 1852, the town was surveyed and laid out into streets; its
boundaries then being the harbor on the west, the present Govern-
ment Street on the east, Johnson Street on the north, and Fort
Street on the south. In 1862, it is estimated that at least 1,500
substantial buildings had been erected, where but two or three years
previously the forest had stood. That same year the city was incor-
porated, with a white population of over 3,500. In 1863, it had
increased to 6,000, exclusive of the large number of miners who
made it their winter headquarters.
27. THE BEAUTIES OF VICTORIA. — A prize essay on the resources
and capabilities of Vancouver Island, by Charles Forbes, Esq., M.D.,
a surgeon on one of the ships of the navy at Esquirnalt, was published
by the Government in 1862. It may not be out of place to quote
his description of the neighborhood of Victoria as it appears in that
publication. It reads :
" On a clear, crisp, autumnal or spring morning, from the northern
side, a beautiful and interesting scene meets the beholder's eye.
Immediately before, and somewhat below, him, lies the town in
repose, the only evidence of life the thin blue smoke which, from
numerous hearths, floats upwards in the motionless air. The group-
ing of the houses, with the tone of the coloring that prevails, is
most pleasing. In the first faint light of the morning, the various
styles of architecture assume fantastic shapes, pointed gables and
ornamented roofs standing out clear and sharp ; the shadows dark
neutral, the lights cool grey, the whole warmed by the depth of
color of the brick houses and other edifices. Away on the left, in
the east, Mount Baker and the Cascade Range have caught the
sun's first rays, and a blush of pearly light is stealing over the
heavens. The sea, still and unruffled, stretches over to the foot of
1
14 INTRODUCTORY.
the great Olympian range, which, clear and defined against the
southern sky, stretches its massive dark blue length along, and far
on the right, where hang the heavy clouds, night is gathering his
mantle around him, and is disappearing in the west.
28 "As the day passes on, and the sun approaches
the zenith, the same clear, fresh air plays around, and an elasticity of
mind and body is felt by all. The character of the scene has changed,
however : a busy hum fills the air, and man is at his daily toil. The
sea is like a mirror ; numerous tiny craft, with drooping sails, dot its
surface, and seem at the same time suspended in the air by the
refraction which elevates and brings into view the cliffs at Dunge-
ness, reminding the observer of the chalk cliffs of old England.
29. GLORIOUS LIGHT AND SHADE. " The mountain range has
become a cloud; stretched along midway are lengthened lines of
strati, drawn clear and sharp against the heavy dark blue mass, while,
piled heap upon heap, resting on the lofty summits, are masses of
cumuli and cumuloni, seeming fit abode for the Olympian Jove. As
the sun goes west, cirri and cirro-strati begin to float off into the upper
air, and before the warm westerly breeze the wondrous cloud dis-
appears ; the light is reflected in sparkling rays from the waters of
the winding reaches of the upper harbor ; the shadows become purple,
and in the pine woods, black. The whole sky on the right is one
blaze of crimson and deep orange hues ; and as the sun sinks in the
western ocean, he pours a flood of yellow light along the narrow
strait, such as Turner would have loved to paint ; touches the
Olympian peaks with a rosy hue, and resting for a moment on the
summit of the tower on the Race Rocks, with a golden gleam, seems
there to leave ' the flashing light,' the seaman's safeguard against the
dangers of the night."
30. OTHER CITIES INLAND. — It need not be supposed that VICTORIA
is the only city in British Columbia which possesses beautiful natural
scenery. The other cities which have sprung into existence since the
foregoing description was written, also have delightful scenic sur-
roundings. The Royal City — NEW WESTMINSTER — has a charming
situation. On the south-eastern horizon, as far as the eye can reach,
Mount Baker looms up in majestic grandeur to a height of nearly
eleven thousand feet. Illuminated by the first rays of the morning
sun, its silvery top is burnished with gold. Almost at the feet of the
beholder flows the great Fraser River, abounding with several
varieties of the best salmon, losing itself towards the right in the
INTRODUCTORY. 15
fertile delta, past Lulu Island. Looking up the river from classic
Sapperton, the primitive camp of the Royal Engineers in early days,
under Colonel Moody, the view is superb. On the left the " golden
ears," and the massive "shoulders" of the coast range delight the gaze
of the enraptured visitor.
31. THE COAL MINES. — The BLACK DIAMOND CITY (so named owing
to its extensive coal mines) — NANAIMO — has many beautiful views-
Built partly on a rugged promontory, it nestles in the bosom of a
spacious bay, which is dotted with islands covered with verdure and
evergreens to the water's edge. Its harbor is ample, and with its
ships, shipping appliances, chutes and tramways for the accommoda-
tion of the coal trade, presents an interesting picture of enterprise,
industry and prosperity. In the back-ground, the Island range of
mountains stands out in sufficient relief to give pleasing effect to
that appearance of comfort and repose which seemingly belong to the
city.
32. VANCOUVER — the terminal city of the great Canadian trans-
continental railway — although not ,yet in her teens, can, as well
as her older sisters, boast of a panorama of great beauty. Towering
mountains and peaks flank her spacious harbor and inlet. Neither
have local adornments and improvements been neglected. Her parks
and public buildings are most attractive, and are appreciated by
travellers and visitors from all parts of the world.
33. KAMLOOPS, and other rising cities in the interior of the
Province, have their special natural attractions which require only
to be seen to be admired. In fact, British Columbia may be termed
a "land of mountain and of flood" — similar in that respect to the
mother, — "Caledonia stern and wild."
34. THE LAST OF THE COLONIAL GOVERNORS. — ANTHONY MUSGRAVE
succeeded GOVERNOR SEYMOUR in 1869, and occupied the position of
Governor until 1871, when British Columbia became an integral part
of the Dominion of Canada.
35. WHAT COMES AFTERWARDS?— The warm, able and lengthy
debates which immediately preceded the confederation of British
Columbia with Canada, together with the events which have occurred
since showing the progress and prosperity of the Province, will in due
course be referred to in THE CONFEDERATION PERIOD.
History of British Columbia.
SECTION I.
EARLY DISCOVERIES
CHAPTER I.
COOK'S THIRD VOYAGE. — There are no other authentic records
available for reference, regarding discoveries by Europeans or occu-
pation by them, on that portion of the coast of North America which
now forms the western frontier of Canada, until Captain Cook's third
voyage, which dates from 1776.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF MANKIND. — The expedition for that voyage
was fitted out by the British Admiralty, to continue the efforts which
had been made by the Government of Great Britain to add to the
knowledge already attained in science, navigation, geography, and the
intercourse of mankind with each other. It consisted of the ships
Resolution, of 462 tons burden, and 112 men under Captain JAMES
COOK, and the Discovery, of 300 tons burden and 80 men, under
Captain CHARLES CLERKE.
His COMMISSION AND INSTRUCTIONS. — Captain Cook received his
commission to command the expedition on the 9th of February, 1776.
His instructions were to proceed to the Pacific via Cape of Good
Hope, touching at Otaheite and the Society Islands, and to commence
his researches on the north-west coast of America, in latitude 65°;
and not to lose time in exploring inlets or rivers until he reached
that latitude. The Resolution was not ready to sail from England
until the llth of July. The Discovery sailed on the 1st of August,
and overtook the Resolution at Cape of Good Hope on the 10th of
November.
18
HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
COOK'S SECOND VOYAGE. — Captain Cook
had only returned in July, 1775, from his
second voyage in the southern seas, where
he was engaged in exploring the Antarctic
regions and circumnavigating New Zealand.
This work occupied three years and eighteen
days. His success during that voyage was
such that it is recorded that no expedition
fitted out for the purpose of maritime dis-
covery, had ever equalled that from which
he had just returned, in the magnitude
and arduous nature of its peculiar object.
The Earl of Sandwich, who was at the head of the Admiralty, was
disposed to reward liberally one whose courage and skill had so well
justified the expectations of those who had patronized the under-
taking.
His SERVICES APPRECIATED. — Cook was immediately raised to the
rank of post-captain, and obtained a more substantial mark of favor,
being appointed one of the captains of Greenwich Hospital, which
afforded him a liberal maintenance and repose from his professional
labors. He was also elected a fellow of the Royal Society, and
received the Society's medal for having performed the voyage just
concluded with a company of 118 men, throughout all the climates,
from latitude 52° N. to 71° S., with the loss of only one man by
sickness.
REWARD OF £20,000. — A special object was in view by the
Admiralty at this time relative to the plan to be adopted in this
expedition, and as to who should be the commander. The hope of
finding a north-west passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
had not been abandoned. The Act of Parliament which had been
passed in 1745, securing a reward of £20,000 to any of his Majesty's
ships or subjects who should make the proposed discovery, at first
only referred to ships passing through Hudson Bay, but had been
amended to apply to ships passing in any direction. Consultations
were held by Lord Sandwich with Sir Hugh Palliser and other
experienced officers relative to the matter. Captain Cook, they
admitted, had earned by his eminent services the privilege of honor-
able repose, and no one thought of imposing on him foi; the third
time, the dangers and hardships of a voyage of discovery round the
world; i>ut being invited to dine with Lord Sandwich, in order that
EARLY DISCOVERIES. 19
he might lend the light of his valuable experience to the various
particulars under discussion, he was so iired with the observations
that were made, that he voluntarily offered to take the command of
it himself.
REACHED NOOTKA, MARCH, 1778.— Owing to great delay in visiting
several South Sea islands, including Van Diemen's Land, New Zealand,
€tc., and leaving sheep, goats, and pigs on them for breeding purposes,
Captain Cook did not reach the north-west coast of America until the
7th of March, 1778, when land was seen from seventy to eighty
miles distant, in latitude 44° 33' N., and longitude 235° 20' E. (Sic.)
The previous day two sails and several whales were seen. Stormy
weather made it necessary to stand to sea, and run southward to
latitude 42° 45'. Calms and storms tossed the mariners about until
the 29th of March, when the Resolution anchored in Hope Bay,
Nootka. The Discovery also arrived and anchored there the same
day.
SPEECHES AND SONGS. — Canoes with natives soon gathered round
the ships to the number of thirty-two, carrying from three to seven
persons each, men and women. Their leaders made long speeches,
but as not a word of them was understood, they soon ceased. One
sung a very agreeable air with a degree of melody which was not
expected. Although seemingly not afraid, none of them could be
induced to come on board the ships. A group of about a dozen of
the canoes remained alongside the Resolution the greater part of the
night.
LIEUTENANT JAMES KING. — Next day Captain Cook sent out three
armed boats, under the command of his lieutenant, Mr. James King,
to search for a commodious harbor. A snug cove was found into
which the ships were removed. On the day following they were
moored, head and stern, fastening the hawsers to the trees on shore,
and carpenters were set to work to make such repairs as were
necessary.
FIVE HUNDRED VISITORS. — The fame of the arrival of the ships
brought a great concourse of natives to see them. At one time there
were about one hundred canoes, which were supposed to contain an
average of five persons each, for few of them had less than three on
board; many had seven, eight or nine, and one was manned with
seventeen. Amongst the visitors were many who had arrived for the
lirst time, as was judged from their orations and ceremonies as they
approached the ships.
20 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
ARTICLES FOR SALE AND BARTER. — The distrust or fear which they
showed at first was soon laid aside. They came on board the ships
and mixed amongst the sailors with the greatest of freedom. It was
soon discovered that they were expert thieves. In trade, however, they
were strictly honest. The articles which they offered for sale or
barter were the skins of bears, wolves, foxes, deer, raccoons, polecats,
martins, and in particular the sea-otters. The narrative of the voyage
states, that " besides the skins in their native state, they also brought
garments made of them, and another sort of clothing made of the
bark of a tree or some plant like hemp ; weapons, such as bows,
arrows and speai-s, pieces of carved work, beads and several other
little ornaments of thin brass and iron, shaped like a horseshoe,
which they hang at their noses. But the most extraordinary of all
the articles which they brought to the ships for sale were human
skulls and hands, not yet quite stripped of the flesh, which they made
our people plainly understand they had eaten ; and, indeed, some of
them had evident marks that they had been upon the fire."
VISIT TO A NATIVE VILLAGE. — For a fortnight the weather con-
tinued stormy. By the 19th of April, however, the top-masts, yard
and rigging were again up. Next day being fair, a visit was made
by Captain Cook and a party to the village at the west point of the
sound. They found the people numerous and courteous. The houses
were large, each containing several families. The methods of curing
and drying fish were explained, mats were spread for the party to sit
on, and every mark of civility shown. The party next proceeded up
the west side of the sound for two miles, by an arm of the sea.
A SURLY CHIEF. — A mile farther they found the remains of a
deserted village. From that point they crossed to the east side of the
sound and landed at another village. There they met with rather a
cold reception. The surly chief did not wish them to enter the
houses. Presents were offered to him which he took, but they did
not have much effect in changing his behavior. The young women
of the village, 'however, showed more hospitality. They dressed
themselves, the narrator relates, "expeditiously, in their best apparel,
and welcomed us by joining in a song which was far from harsh or
disagreeable."
FRESH ARRIVALS — INTRODUCTORY CEREMONIES. — Repairs on the
vessels were now nearly completed. By the 21st the mizzen-masf was
finished and in its place and rigged. The following day some ten or
twelve canoes arrived from the southward. At about two hundred
EARLY DISCOVERIES. 21
yards from the ship they remained for about half an hour preparing for
their introductory ceremony. They then advanced standing in their
oanoes and began to sing, accompanying their notes with the most
regular motion of their hands, or beating in concert with their
paddles on the sides of the canoes, and making other very expressive
gestures. Some of their songs were slow, others in quicker time.
At the end of each song they remained silent for some time and
ceased paddling, then again commencing they generally concluded by
forcibly pronouncing the word " hooee ! " as a chorus. This pro-
gramme continued for over half an hour, when they came alongside
the ships and bartered what they had to dispose of.
APPEARANCE OF THK NATIVES. — The natives are described as " in
general under the common stature, but not slender in proportion,
being commonly pretty full or plump though not muscular. Both
men and women are so encrusted with paint and dirt that their
color could not positively be determined. The children, whose skins
have never been stained by paint or discolored by smoke, are nearly
as fair as Europeans. Their dress, made of mats and skins, is, upon
the whole, convenient, and would by no means be inelegant were it
kept clean; but as they rub their bodies over constantly with a red
paint of a coarse ochrey or clayey substance, their garments contract
a rancid, offensive smell, and a greasy nastiness, so that they make a
very wretched dirty appearance." During Captain Cook's stay at
Nootka, the weather continued more or less stormy; yet he and his
officers made several excursions to various parts of the Sound, but
only found two villages. Judging from the canoes seen around the
ships, and other observations, he computed the inhabitants to number
two thousand.
PARTING TOKENS OF FRIENDSHIP. — Being ready for sea on the
26th of April, although the barometer was low, the moorings were
cast off, the boats towed the ships out of the cove, attended by a large
number of the natives, some on board and others in their canoes.
One of the chiefs who had, some time before, become attached to
Captain Cook, was about the last to leave the ship. In return for a
small present given him, he gave a beaver skin of much greater value.
Captain Cook made another small present to the chief, which pleased
him so much that he insisted in giving in return the beaver skin
cloak which he then wore. The narrator states : " Struck with this
generosity, and desirous that he should be no sufferer by his
friendship to me, I presented to him a new broadsword, with a brass
22 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
hilt, the possession of which made him completely happy. He also,
and many of his countrymen, importuned us to pay them another
visit, and by way of encouragement promised to lay in a good stock
of skins. I make no doubt that whoever comes to this place will tind
the natives prepared with no inconsiderable supply of an article of
trade which they could .observe we were eager to possess, and which
we found could be purchased to great advantage." Thus was the
foundation of the fur trade on the west coast laid in the most
harmonious manner.
THE VOYAOK NORTHWARDS. — No sooner had the expedition left
Nootka Sound than a gale sprung up. The storm continuing, they
were obliged to bear away from the land northwesterly. Rough and
hazy weather prevented them from again seeing land until the 1st of
May. Kaye's island was reached, latitude 60°, on the 10th, where
Captain Cook landed, and states that " at the foot of a tree on a little
eminence, not far from the shore, he left a bottle with a paper in
it, on which were inscribed the names of the ships and the date of
the discovery, along with two silver twopenny pieces of his Majesty's
coin of the date 1772." From this point many landings and surveys
were made by Lieutenant Gore, Mr. Roberts, one of the mates, and
Surgeon Anderson, who attended to the scientific portion of the
explorations. The intervening time, until August, was occupied in
this work. Along the coast they found many native villages. The
inhabitants generally were well disposed and willing to enter into
trade, but required continual watching to keep in check their thieving
propensities.
A DIFFERENT TYPE OF NATIVES. — In Prince William Sound the
natives were found in dress, language and physical peculiarities,
similar to the Esquimaux of Hudson Bay. Their canoes were not
constructed out of one portion or trunk of a tree as at Nootka, the
frame only being slender strips of wood, skins of seals or other
animals, like the "oomyaks," or women's canoes of the Greenlanders,
as described by the late Dr. Rae, of Arctic renown. The most
westerly coast of the American continent was reached on the 9th
August, distant only about seventy miles from the opposite shores
of Asia. To this headland was given the name Cape Prince of
Wales.
THE ASIATIC COAST.— Crossing the strait to the western shores,
Captain Cook anchored near the coast, which he found to extend
many degrees farther to the east than the position assigned hi
EARLY DISCOVERIES. 23
the maps of that day. He thus ascertained distinctly the width
of the strait which separates Asia from America; for though Behring
had sailed through it before, he had not, owing to thick weather,
seen the shores of the latter continent at that time.
AMONG THE WALRUSES. — Next proceeding eastward and north
the navigators coasted along the west shore of America until
the 19th of August, when, in latitude 70°44', they saw ice before
them, extending as far as the eye could reach, and forming a
compact wall of about six feet high. On nearer approach the ice
was found to be covered with multitudes of walruses or sea-horses.
Cook's narrative says: "They lay in herds of many hundreds upon
the ice, huddling one over the other like swine, and roar or bray
very loud, so that in the night or foggy weather they gave us notice
of the vicinity of ice before we could see it. We never found the
whole asleep, some being always upon the watch and communicated
the alarm to the others." The dimensions and weight of one of them
is given : Length from the snout to the tail, 9 ft. 4 in. ; length of
neck from snout to shoulder-bone, 2 ft. 6 in. ; height of shoulder,
5 ft. ; length of fore-fin, 2 ft. 4 in. ; hind-fin, 2 ft. 6 in. ; breadth of
fore-tin, 1 ft. 2| in. ; hind-tin, 2 ft. ; circumference of the neck close
to the ears, 2 ft. 7 in. ; ditto, body at the shoulder, 7 ft. 10 in. ;
ditto, near the hind-fins, 5 ft. 6 in. ; weight of carcass without the
head, skin or entrails, 854 pounds; head, 41 J pounds; skin, 203
pounds.
CLOSE OF THE CRUISE NORTHWARDS. — Before midnight a thick
fog came on and the ships were surrounded with loose ice. The
fog having cleared by ten o'clock next day, in latitude 69°32', and
the main body of ice not far distant, and with the Continent of
America within five leagues' distance, the prospect of finding the
north-west passage was improbable. Cruising until the 29th, large
quantities of ice appeared northward. The narrative here states
" that as the season was now so far advanced and frost expected
soon to set in, it was not considered consistent with prudence to
make further attempts to find a passage into the Atlantic." Capt.
Cook then crossed to the Asiatic side. He had completed his
mission and fulfilled his instructions. He concludes his narrative
by saying : " We were now upwards of 520 leagues to the westward
of any part of Baffin's or Hudson's Bay, and whatever passage there
may be, or at least part of it, must lie to the north of latitude 72°."
24 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
ALONG THE EAST COAST OF RUSSIA. — In September he shaped his
course southwards, gathering much information on the Russian
coast. About the end of October he left the Asiatic coast for the
Sandwich Islands, which he made the rendezvous to meet Captain
Clerke, in the event of the Discovery parting company with the
Resolution on the voyage south. The Sandwich Islands were
reached in January, 1779.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN COOK.— In February the great navigator was
killed in a melee whilst assisting or directing a party of his men to
recover one of the ship's boats that had been stolen by the natives.
After Captain Cook's death the command devolved upon Captain
Clerke. He removed on board the Resolution and appointed
Lieutenant Gore to be captain of the Discovery.
CAPTAIN CLERKE'S FURTHER EXPLORATIONS. — The expedition did
not arrive in England until October, 1780. The delay in returning
is accounted for by Captain Clerke having, during the spring of
1779, made another trip to Behring Sea to make a further attempt
to find the north-west passage. He penetrated as far as 70° 30' N".,
when the same obstacles prevented his progress as were met by
Captain Cook the preceding year. They encountered a firm barrier
of ice seven leagues farther south than Captain Cook had. The.
impossibility of finding a passage to the north was now thought
to be sufficiently proved ; it was therefore resolved to proceed
homewards.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN CLERKE. — When the ships leached Kamtschatka,
Captain Cierke died of a decline. Captain Gore now succeeded to
the command of the expedition, and Lieutenant King took command
of the Discovery. The expedition, although successful in adding
greatly to geographical knowledge and in opening up the fur trade of
the North- West, returned to England in mourning, having lost both
their commanders. They were replaced by able men. Some of the
distinguished officers who served under Captain Cook and learned
the arduous duties of their profession from him, such as Vancouver,
Broughton, Bligh, Burney, Colnett. Portlock, Dixon, etc., afterwards
became leading men in the nautical world, and shortly after the
lamented death of Captain Cook, assisted in opening up the trade
of the North-West and completing the explorations which he had
begun.
SECTION II.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD.
CHAPTEE I.
EXPEDITIONS ORGANIZED. — As soon as particulars of Captain Cook's
voyage and discoveries, on the north-west coast of America were
known, and that such a large supply of otter skins and other furs
could be obtained from that hitherto unknown region, a spirit of
adventure and commerce was created. In 1786, four expeditions
were organized in different parts of the globe to engage in this new
trade, without any knowledge of eacli other's designs.
THE PIONEER TRADER.— -The first to arrive on the north-west coast
of America in connection with this new enterprise, was Captain
JAMES HANNA. His vessel, a small craft of only seventy-two tons
burden, with a crew of under thirty men, had been equipped in
China, in 1784-85, by English merchants. This skilful seaman and
brave commander pursued his course along the coast of Japan, thence
eastwards until he reached Nootka in August, 1785. On arriving
there, the natives, judging from the small size and appearance of the
vessel compared with Captain Cook's outfit, made an attack upon
Captain Hanna and his limited crew. They were, however, speedily
repulsed. • Hostilities were soon ended and a brisk trade commenced,
which resulted in Captain Hanna obtaining a large number of sea-otter
skins, which netted him $26,000 in China.
HANNA'S SECOND AND LAST VOYAGE. — Captain Hanna left Nootka
in September. On his return northward he examined the coast,
named Sea-otter Harbor and Fitzhugh Sound, reaching Macao in
December. He made a second voyage to Nootka in 1786, in the Sea-
otter^ a vessel of 120 tons; but two British ships having arrived
before him, his second commercial venture was not nearly as
profitable as that of the preceding year. Captain Meares, referring
26 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
to Hanna's voyages, says : " Before he could engage in a third, this
able and active seaman was called upon to take that voyage from
whence there is no return." ,
TRADING AND SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION. — The two British vessels
referred to as arriving in 1786, were the Captain Cook and the
Experiment, sailing under the flag of the East India Company, fitted
out by Bombay merchants, David Scott being the principal owner.
They were under the supervision of James Strange, and sailed from
Bombay, arriving at Nootka in June, 1786. They obtained six
hundred sea-otter skins. Returning they sailed northward, and
probably gave the name Gape Scott to the north-western point
of Vancouver Island after David Scott, the chief owner of the vessels.
The expedition, at his own request, left one of their men, John
McKay, at Nootka, under the chief's protection, to .act as a.
"drummer "or agent for the fur-traders. He was well treated by
the savages, and lived with a native wife for more than a year
amongst them.
A FRENCH EXPLORING EXPEDITION. — The French navigator, La
Perouse, set out on an exploring expedition in 1785. His discoveries
were published too late to be of special value, apart from that
furnished by other navigators who visited those seas and wrote about
what they had seen. Bancroft says: "Especially were his discoveries
unimportant as touching the north-west coast." His explorations
were made in 1786, but as his maps were not published until 1798,
they were superseded by later and more complete surveys.
LICENSED TO TRADE IN TEAS, ETC. — Another expedition, formed by
the ships King George and Queen Charlotte, left England in 1785.
They were fitted out in London and placed under Lieutenant Portlock
of the Royal Navy, with license from the South Sea Company to
trade in teas from China. They were also supplied with large
quantities of stores, and had appliances to " form factories," to
build vessels, and had authority to make settlements. Both the
commanders, Lieutenants Nathaniel Portlock and George Dixon,
had previously served under Captain Cook, and were prepared to
engage both in geographical discoveries as well as to attend to the
fur trade. They sailed around Cape Horn and touched at the
Sandwich Islands, reaching Cook's River in July, 1786. It was
their intention then to coast southwards and winter at Nootka.
After touching at various points from fifty-five degrees north to
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 27
Nootka, the weather became stormy and the expedition returned
to the Sandwich Islands to winter.
PORTLOCK AND DIXON, 1786-87. — Next season they left for Prince
William Sound. By the end of July, Captain Dixon had reached
the northern end of Queen Charlotte Islands, which he named after
the vessel he commanded, as well as after the Queen of that name.
He named the straits between the islands and the mainland, "Dixon's
Straits," after himself. Captain Dixon received a large number of
sea-otter skins (1,821) on Queen Charlotte Islands. The number of
sea-otter skins obtained during the season by both vevssels is given at
2,552, for which they received in China, $54,857. Bancroft states
that the other traders for the season together only obtained 2,481
skins.
CAPTAINS BARCLAY AND DUNCAN, 1787. — The expeditions of the
ships, Princess Royal, Captain Duncan, Prince of Wales, Captain
Colnett, and The Imperial Eagle, Captain Barclay, arrived in 1787.
The two former vessels were fitted out by the King George Sound
Company, which had sent out Portlock and Dixon ; the latter
sailed under the flag of the Austrian East India Company, in 1786,
arriving at Nootka in 1787. Captain Barclay explored Barclay
Sound, to which he gave his name. His boat, with an armed crew,
explored the Straits of Fuca. He is said to have received much
local information from the Mr. McKay who had been residing
at Nootka amongst the Indians for over a year. Mrs. Barclay
accompanied her husband on this voyage, and was probably the first
European lady who visited the north-west coast of America.
CAPTAINS KENDRICK AND GRAY, 1788. — A large number of
voyagers and navigators met at Nootka in 1788, amongst whom
were Captain John Meares, of the Felice, Wm. Douglas, of the
Iphigenia, John Kendrick, of the Columbia, Robert Gray, of the
Lady Washington. The two latter vessels were the first that appeared
under the flag of the United States on the waters of the North
Pacific Ocean. They were equipped by Boston merchants and their
crews called "Bostons," and as the war of the independence of the
United States had just been concluded, the " Bostons " did not
regard the " King George men " with the most friendly feeling.
UNITED STATES FLAG, 1788. — The first fur-trading expedition
from the United States was fitted out by a company of six Boston
merchants, who were influenced by the glowing reports of Captain
Cook's discoveries and the possible trade with China. The voyage
28
HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
of the Lady Washington occupied a year from the time of leaving
Boston until her arrival at Nootka. That vessel was towed into
Nootka Sound by the aid of boats from the Felice and the Iphigenia,
which were lying at anchor there.
CAPTAIN JOHN MEAKES. — The Felice,
Captain John Meares, was a vessel of 230
tons burden, with a crew of tifty men,
comprising artificers, Chinese smiths
and carpenters as well as European
artizans; Iphigenia, Captain Douglas,
a vessel of 200 tons burden, with a crew
of forty men, composed of the same
classes of people, artizans and sailors.
Both ships were well built and copper-
bottomed. " The Chinese were," Cap-
tain Meares states, " shipped as an
CAPTAIN .TOIIX MKAKRS.
experiment ; they have been generally
esteemed a hardy and industrious, as well as ingenious, race of people.
They live 011 tish and rice, and, requiring but low wages, it was a
matter of economical consideration to employ them, and during the
whole voyage there was every reason to be satisfied with their ser-
vices. The expense of fitting out the expedition was borne by several
British merchants resident in India, in conjunction with Captain
Meares, who had been formerly a lieutenant in the British navy.
On the 13th of May, 1788, they reached Nootka and anchored abreast
of the village in " Friendly Cove," in four fathoms of water, after a
passage of three months and twenty-three days from China. They
were well received by the natives. The principal chiefs, Maquilla
and Callicum, were absent on a visit to Wican-an-ish, a powerful
prince of a tribe to the southward. That locality is now known as
Clayoquot Sound.
MAQUILLA'S FLEET. — "On the 16th of May," Captain Meares in
his narrative states, " Maquilla and Callicum returned, and entered
the cove accompanied by a number of war canoes. They moved or
rowed (paddled) around the ship with great parade, singing at the
same time a song of a pleasing though sonorous melody. Maquilla's
fleet consisted of twelve war canoes, each of which contained about
eighteen men ; the greater part of whom were clothed in the most
beautiful skins of the sea otter, which covered them from their neck
to their ankles. Their hair was powdered witli the white down of
birds and their faces bedaubed with red and black ochre, in the form
of a shark's jaw, and a kind of spiral line, which rendered their
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 29
appearance extremely savage. In most of these boats there were
eight rowers (paddlers) on a side, and a single man sat at the bow.
The chief occupied a place in the middle, and was distinguished by a
high cap, pointed, at the crown and ornamented at the top with a
small tuft of feathers.
INDIAN Music. — " We listened to their song," continues Mr.
Meares, " with an equal degree cf surprise and pleasure. It was,
indeed, impossible for any ear susceptible of delight from musical
sounds, or any mind that was not insensible to the power of melody,
to remain unmoved by this solemn, unexpected concert. The chorus
was in unison, and strictly correct as to time and tone ; nor did a
dissonant note escape them. Sometimes they would make a sudden
transition from the high to the low notes, with such melancholy
turns in their variations, that we could not reconcile to ourselves the
manner in which tl*;y acquired or contrived this more than untaught
melody of nature. There was something for the eye as well as the
ear, and the action which accompanied their voices added very much
to the impression which the chanting made upon us all. Everyone
beat time with undeviating regularity against the gunwale of the
boat with their paddles, and at the end of every verse or stanza they
pointed with extended arms to the north and to the south, gradually
sinking their voices in such a solemn manner as to produce an effect
not often attained by the orchestras in our quarter of the globe.
OIL REFKESHMENTS. — " They paddled around our ship twice in this
manner, uniformly rising up when they came to the stern and calling
out the word ' wacush, wacush,' or friends. They then brought their
canoes alongside, when Maquilla and Callicum came on board.
The former appeared to be about thirty years, of a middle size, but
extremely well made and possessing a countenance that was formed
to interest all who saw him. The latter seemed to be ten years
older, of an athletic make, and a fine open arrangement of features,
that united regard and confidence. The inferior people were very
proper and personable men. A sealskin filled witli oil was immedi-
ately handed on board, of which the chiefs took a small quantity.,
and they ordered it to be returned to the people in the canoes, who
soon emptied the vessel of this luxurious liquor.
MEARES GIVES AND RECEIVES PRESENTS. — "A present, consisting
of copper, iron and other gratifying articles, was made to Maquilla
and Callicum, who on receiving it took off their sea-otter garments,
threw them in the most graceful manner at our feet, and remained in
the unattired garb of nature on the deck. They were each of them
in turn presented with a blanket, when with every mark of the
highest satisfaction, they descended into their canoes, which were
paddled hastily to the shore.
A BUILDING SITE SECURED. — "Maquilla not only readily consented
to grant us a spot of ground in his territory, whereon a house might
be built for the accommodation of the people we intended to leave
there, but had promised us also his assistance in forwarding our
3U HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
works and his protection of the party who were destined to remain
at Nootka during our absence. In return for this kindness, and to
insure a continuance of it, the chief was presented with a pair of
pistols, which he had regarded with an eye of solicitation ever since
our arrival. Callicum, who seemed to have formed a most affectionate
attachment to us, was also gratified, as well as the ladies of his
families, with suitable presents ; indeed it became our more immediate
attention to confirm his regard, as he had been appointed by Maquilla
to be our particular guardian and protector, and had the most
peremptory injunctions to prevent the natives from making any
depredations on us.
HOUSE BUILDING PROGRESSES. — " Great advances were made in
building the house, which on the 28th was completely finished. In
the very expeditious accomplishment of this important work, the
natives afforded us all the assistance in their power, not only by
bringing the timber from the woods, but by readily engaging in any
and every service that was required of them. When the bell rang
for our people to leave off work in the evening, the native laborers
were always assembled to receive their daily pay, which was dis-
tributed in certain proportions of beads and iron. Such a proceeding
on our part won so much upon their regard and confidence, that we
could not find employment for the numbers that continually solicited
to engage in our service. The house was sufficiently spacious to
contain all the party intended to be left on the Sound (Nootka). On
the ground floor there was ample room for the coopers, sail makers
and other artizans to work in bad weather ; a large room was set
apart for the stores and provisions. The armorer's shop was attached
to one end of the building and communicated with it. The upper
story was divided into an eating-room and chambers for the party.
On the whole, our house, though it was not built to satisfy a lover of
architectural beauty, was admirably well calculated for the purpose
to which it was destined, and appeared to be a structure of uncommon
magnificence to the natives of King George's Sound.
A FORTIFICATION ERECTED. — "A strong breastwork was thrown
up round the house, enclosing a considerable area of ground, which
with one piece of cannon, placed in such a manner as to command
the cove and village of Nootka, formed a fortification sufficient to
secure the party from intrusion.
THE NATIVES ARE FRIENDLY. — "The good harmony and friendly
intercourse which subsisted between us and the natives, will, we
trust, be considered as a proof that our conduct was regulated by
the principles of humane policy ; while the generous and hospitable
demeanor of our faithful allies will convey a favorable idea of their
character, when treated with that kindness which unenlightened
nature demands, and is the true object' of commercial policy to
employ.
THEY POSSESS GRATITUDE AND AFFECTION.— " The various offices
of personal attachment which we received from many individuals of
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 31
these people were sufficient to convince us that gratitude is a virtue
well known on this distant shore, and that a noble sensibility to
offices of kindness was to be found among the woods of Nootka.
Callicuni possessed a delicacy of mind and conduct which would have
done honor to the most improved state of our civilization. A thousand
instances of regard and affection towards us might be related of this
amiable man, who is now no more, and the only return that we can
make for his friendship is to record it, and with every expression of
horror and detestation of that inhuman and wanton spirit of murder
which deprived his country of its brightest ornament, the future
navigator of a protecting friend, and drove an unoffending and
useful people from their native home to find a new habitation in the
distant desert."
INHUMAN CONDUCT BY A SPANISH OFFICER. — Captain Meares adds
the following explanatory note: "This amiable chief was shot
through the body in the month of June, 1789, by an officer on board
one of the ships of Don Martinez. The following particulars were
received from the master of the North-West America, a young
gentleman of the most correct veracity, who was himself a witness of
the inhuman act :
" Callicum, his wife and child, came in a small canoe alongside the
Princessa, the commodore's ship, and the fa'sh being taken from him
in a rough and unwelcome manner before he could present it to the
commodore, the chief was so incensed at this behavior that he
immediately left the ship, exclaiming as he departed, 'peshae, peshae,5
the meaning of which is 'bad, bad.' This conduct was considered so
offensive that he was immediately shot through the heart by a ball
from the quarter-deck. The body on receiving the ball sprung over
the side of the canoe and immediately sank. The wife was taken
with her child, in a state of stupefaction, to the shore by some of her
friends, who were witnesses of this inhuman catastrophe. Shortly
afterwards the father of Callicum ventured on board the Spanish
ship to beg permission to creep for the body beneath the water, when
this sad request of parental sorrow was refused till the poor afflicted
savage had collected a sufficient number of skins among his neighbors
to purchase of Christians the privilege of giving sepulture to a son
whom they had murdered, The body was soon found and followed
to its place of interment by the lamenting widow, attended by all
the inhabitants of the Sound, who expressed the keenest sorrows for
a chief whom they loved, and to those virtues it becomes our duty
to give the grateful testimony of merited affection."
32 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
CHAPTEK II.
MEMORIAL FROM CAPTAIN MEARES.
EVIDENCE ON THE SUBJECT. — The foregoing extracts will serve to
show the animus of the Spaniards towards the natives, and will
prepare the reader to expect little else from them than the outra-
geous manner in which they treated Captain Meares's men and confis-
cated and destroyed his property. The circumstances are fully
explained in the memorial which he had presented to the British
House of Commons on the 13th of May, 1790. The action which
the British Government felt called upon to take to protect British
subjects and their property ultimately resulted in securing to Great
Britain the whole of the north-west coast, between what was at that
time known as California and the Russian outposts. The evidence
was so clear and strong that neither sophistry, subterfuge nor special
pleading could maintain Spain in her extravagant claims. The docu-
ments now submitted form the basis of the early history of British
Columbia ; therefore they are given at some length :
" The memorial of JOHN MEARES, Lieutenant in his Majesty's
navy, most humbly sheweth :
"That earlv in the year 1786, certain merchants residing in the
East Indies, and under the immediate protection of the Company,
desirous of opening a trade with the north-west coast of America for
supplying the Chinese market with furs and ginseng, communicated
such design to Sir John MacPherson, the Governor-General of India,
who not only approved of the plan, but joined in the subscription for
its execution, and two vessels were accordingly purchased and placed
under the orders and command of your memorialist.
"That in the month of March, your memorialist despatched one of
the said vessels, which he named the Sea-otter, under the command
of Mr. Tipping, to Prince William's Sound, and followed her on the
other ship, which he named the Nootka.
"That on your memorialist's arrival in Prince William's Sound, in
the month of September, he found the Sea-otter had left that place a
few days before ; and from intelligence he has since received, the ship
was soon after unfortunately lost off the coast of Kamtschatka.
" That your memorialist remained in Prince William's Sound the
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 33
whole of the winter, in the course of which time he opened an
extensive trade with the natives ; and having collected a cargo of
furs, he proceeded to China in the autumn of 1787.
"That in the month of January, 1788, your memorialist having
disposed of the Nootka, he, in conjunction with several British
merchants residing in India, purchased and fitted out two other
vessels, named the Felice and Iphigenia ; the latter he put under the
direction of Mr. William Douglas. That your memorialist proceeded
from China to the port of Nootka, or King George's Sound, which he
reached in the month of May, and the Iphigenia arrived in Cook's
River in the month of June.
" That your memorialist, immediately on his arrival in Nootka
Sound, purchased from Maquilla, the chief of the district contiguous
to and surrounding that place, a spot of ground whereon he built a.
LAUNCH OK THE " NORTH-WEST AMKKICA."
house for his occasional residence, as well as for the more convenient
pursuit of his trade with the natives, and hoisted the British colors-
thereon ; that he also erected a breast-work which surrounded the
house, and mounted one 3-pounder in front. That having done
so, your memorialist proceeded to trade on the coast, the Felice
taking her route to the southwards, and the Iphigenia to the north-
wards, confining themselves within the limits of 60° and 45°30'
north, and returned to Nootka Sound in the month of September.
That on your memorialist's arrival there, his people whom he had
left behind, had nearly completed a vessel, which, previous to his-
departure, he had laid down ; and that the said vessel was soon after
launched by your memorialist and called the North- West America^
3
34 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
measuring about forty tons, and was equipped with all expedition to
assist him in his enterprises.
" That during the absence of your memorialist from Nootka Sound
he obtained from Wicananish, tbe chief of the district surrounding
Port Cox and Port Essingham, situated in the latitudes 48° and 49°,
in consequence of considerable presents the promise of a free and
-exclusive trade with the natives of the district, and also his permission
to build any storehouses or other edifices which he might judge
mecessary ; that he also acquired the same privilege of exclusive
trade from Tatootche, the chief of the country bordering on the Straits
<of Juan de Fuca, and purchased from him a tract of land within the
said strait, which one of your memorialist's officers took possession of
in the King's name, calling the same Tatootche, in honor of that chief
"That the Iphigenia, in her progress to the southward, also
visited several ports, and in consequence of presents to the chiefs of
the country, her commander had assurances given to him of not only
a free access, but of an exclusive trade upon that coast, no other
European vessel having been there before her.
" That your memorialist, on the 23rd of September, having
•collected a cargo of furs, proceeded in the Felice to China, leaving
the Iphigenia and the North-West America in Nootka Sound, with
orders to winter at the Sandwich Islands and to return to the coast
in the spring. That your memorialist arrived in China early in the
month of December, where he sold his cargo and also the ship Felice.
"That a few days after your memorialist's arrival in China, the
ships Prince of Wales and Princess Royal, fitted out from the port of
London by Messrs. John and Cadman Etches & Co., came to Canton
'from a trading voyage on the north-west coast of America ; and your
memorialist, finding that they had embarked in this commerce under
licenses granted to them by the East India and South Sea Companies,
which would not expire until the year 1790; and apprehending at
the same time that the trade would suffer by a competition, he and
his partners associated themselves with the said Messrs. Etches A:
Co., and a formal agreement was executed in consequence between
your memorialist and Mr. John Etches, then supercargo of the two
ships, making a joint stock of all the vessels and property employed
in that trade ; and under that firm they purchased a ship, which had
been built at Calcutta, and called her the Argonaut.
" That the Prince of Wales, having been chartered to load teas for
the East India Company, soon after returned to England : and the
Princess Royal and Argonaut were ordered by your memorialist to
sail for the coast of America, under the command of James Colnett,
to whom the charge of all the concerns of the Company on the coast
had been committed.
" Mr. Colnett was directed to fix his residence at Nootka Sound,
and with that view, to erect a substantial house on the spot which
your memorialist had purchased in the preceding year.
" That the Princess Royal and Argonaut, loaded with stores and
•provisions of all descriptions, with articles estimated to be sufficient
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 35
for the trade for three years, and a vessel on board in frame, of about
thirty tons burden, left China accordingly in the months of April and
May^ 1789. They had also on board, in addition to their crews,
several artificers of different professions and nearly seventy Chinese,
who intended to become settlers on the American coast, in the service
and under the protection of the associated Company.
"That on the 24th April, 1789, the Iphigenia returned to Nootka
Sound, and that the North- West America reached the place a few days
after ; that they found on their arrival in that port two American
vessels which had wintered there ; one of them was called the Columbia,
the other the Washington ; that on the 29th of the same month the
North-West America was despatched to the northward to trade, and
ulso to explore the archipelago of St. Lazarus.
"That on the 6th of May, the Iphigenia being then at anchor
in Nootka Sound, a Spanish ship of war, called the Princessa,
commanded by Don Stephen Joseph Martinez, mounting twenty-six
guns, which had sailed from the port of San Bias in the Province of
Mexico, anchored in Nootka Sound, and was joined on the 13th by a
Spanish ' snow' (a vessel equipped with two masts, resembling the
main and fore-masts of a ship, and a third small mast just abaft the
main mast, carrying a try-sail) of sixteen guns, called the San Carlos,
which vessel had also sailed from San Bias, loaded with cannon and
other warlike stores.
" That from the time of the arrival of the Princessa until the 14th
of May, mutual civilities passed between Captain Douglas and the
Spanish officers, and even supplies were obtained from Don Martinez
for the use of the ship ; but on that clay he, Captain Douglas,
was ordered on board the Princessa and, to his great surprise, was
informed by Don Martinez that he had the king's orders to seize all
ships and vessels he might find upon that coast, and that he, the
commander of the Iphigenia, was then his prisoner ; that Don
Martinez thereupon instructed his officers to take possession of the
Iphigenia, which they accordingly did, in the name of his Catholic
Majesty, and the officers and crew of that ship were immediately
conveyed as prisoners on board the Spanish ships, where they were
put in irons and otherwise ill-treated.
" That as soon as the Iphigenia had been seized, Don Martinez
took possession of the lands belonging to your memorialist, on which
his temporary habitation before mentioned had been erected, hoisting
thereupon the standard of Spain and performing such ceremonies as
your memorialist understands are usual on such occasions ; declaring
at the same time that all the lands comprised between Cape Horn
and the sixtieth degree of north latitude did belong to his Catholic
Majesty; he then proceeded to build batteries, storehouses, etc., in
the execution of which he forcibly employed some of the crew of the
Iphigenia, and many of them who attempted to resist were very
severely punished.
" That during the time the commander of the Iphigenia remained
in captivity, he had frequently been urged by Don Martinez to sign
36 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
an instrument, purporting, as he was informed (not understanding
himself the Spanish language), that Don Martinez had found him at
anchor in Nootka Sound, that he was at that time in great distress,
that he had furnished him with everything necessary for his passage
to the Sandwich Islands, and that his navigation had in no respect
been molested or interrupted ; but which paper, on inspection of a
copy thereof delivered to Mr. Douglas, appears to be an obligation
from him and Mr. Viana, the second captain, on the part of their
owners, to pay on demand the valuation of that vessel, her cargo, etc.,
in case the viceroy of New Spain should adjudge her to be a lawful
prize for entering the port of Nootka without the permission of his
Catholic Majesty, and he frequently refused to accede to this propo-
sal ; but that Don Martinez, partly by threats and partly by promises
of restoring him to his command and of furnishing him with such
supplies of stores and provisions as he -might stand in need of,,
ultimately carried his point ; and having so done, he, on the 26th of
the same month, was restored to the command of the Iphigenia, but
restrained from proceeding to sea until the return of the North-West
America, insisting that he should then dispose of her for four hundred
dollars, the price which one of the American captains had set upon
her.
'.'That during the time the Spaniards held possession of the
Iphigenia, she was stripped of all the merchandise which had
been provided for trading, as also of her stores, provisions, nautical
instruments, charts, etc., and, in short, every other article (excepting
twelve bars of iron) which they could conveniently carry away, even
to the extent of the master's watch and articles of clothing.
"That notwithstanding what had been insisted on by Don Martinez,
respecting the sale of the North- West America, he had constantly
refused to dispose of that vessel on any ground, alleging that, as she
did not belong to him, he had no right to dispose of her; that the
North-West America not returning so soon as was expected, he,
Captain Douglas, was told by Don Martinez, that on his ordering
that vessel to be delivered to him for the use of his Catholic Majesty,
he should have liberty to depart with the Iphigenia; that he
accordingly on the 1st of June, wrote a letter to the master of the
North-West America, but cautiously avoided any directions to the
effect desired, and availing himself of Don Martinez's ignorance of
the English language, he instantly sailed from Nootka Sound, though
in a very unn't condition to proceed on such a voyage, leaving behind
him the two American vessels, which had been suffered to continue
there unmolested by the Spaniards from the time of their first
arrival; that the Iphigenia proceeded from thence to the Sandwich
Islands, and after obtaining there such supplies as they were able to-
procure with the iron before mentioned, returned to China and
anchored there in the month of October, 1789.
"Your memorialist thinks it necessary to explain, that in order ta
evade the excessive high port charges demanded by the Chinese from
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 37
all other European nations excepting the Portuguese, he and his
associates had obtained the name of Juan Cawalho to their firm,
though he had no actual concern in their scock ; that Cawalho, though
by birth a Portuguese, had been naturalized at Bombay, and had
resided there for many years under the protection of the East India
Company, and had carried on an extensive trade from thence to their
several settlements in that part of the world.
" That the intimacy subsisting between Cawalho and the Governor
of Macao, had been the principal cause of their forming this nominal
connection ; and that Cawalho had in consequence obtained his
permission that the two ships above mentioned, in case should it be
found convenient to do so, should be allowed to navigate under, or
claim any advantages granted to, the Portuguese flag.
"That this permission had answered the purpose of your memorial-
ist, so far as respected the port charges of the Chinese, until the
return of the Iphigenia ; but the Portuguese governor dying soon
after her departure, and Cawalho becoming a bankrupt, his creditors
demanded an interest in that ship ; that the governor had, in
consequence, investigated the transaction, and finding that Cawalho
had no actual concern or interest in the property, obliged her to
•quit the port : that this proceeding had subjected the Iphigenia at
once to the increased port charges which were instantly demanded by
and paid to the Chinese.
" Your memorialist has stated this transaction thus fully, in order
to show that the Iphigenia and her cargo were actually and bonafide
British property, as well as to explain the occasion of the orders
which were given to her commander (extracts of which accompany
this, and are referred to in the journal of that ship, having been
under. the inspection of Don Martinez).
"Your memorialist further begs to state that after the departure
of the Iphigenia, Don Martinez became apprized of the letter with
which he had been furnished, and that on the return of the North-
West America off the port of Nootka, on the 9th of June, she was
boarded and seized by boats manned and equipped for war, com-
manded by Don Martinez; that he did tow and convey the said
vessel into the sound, and anchoring her close to the Spanish ships
of war, did then take possession of her in the name of his Catholic
Majesty as good and lawful prize ; that the above mentioned vessel
was soon after hauled alongside of the Spanish frigate ; and that the
officers and men, together with the skins which had been collected,
amounting to 215, of the best quality, and also her stores, tackle
and furniture, articles of trade, etc., were removed on board the
Spanish frigate ; that the commander of the North- West America,
his officers and men, were accordingly made prisoners, and Mr.
Thomas Barnett, one of the officers of that vessel, and some of her
men, were, as appears by the affidavit of William Graham, one of the
seamen belonging to that vessel, afterwards put in irons.
" That the Princess Royal arriving a few days after the seizure of
38 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
the North-West America, and being allowed to depart, the skins
collected by the last mentioned vessel (excepting twelve of the best
quality, which Don Martinez thought tit to retain) were returned to
the master, and, with the permission of Don Martinez, were shipped
on board the Princess Royal for the benefit of the owners ; and that
ship, as appears by her journal, put to sea on the 2nd of July to
pursue the trade upon the coast.
"That Don Martinez, after seizing the North-West America in the
manner and under the circumstances above stated, employed her on
a trading voyage, from which she returned after an absence of about
twenty days, with seventy-iive skins obtained by British merchan-
dise which had either been found in that vessel at the time of her
capture, or had been taken from the Iphiyenia ; and that the value
of the furs so collected cannot, upon a moderate calculation, be
estimated at less than $7,500, and which Don Martinez had applied
to his own advantage.
"That the Argonaut arrived off the port of Nootka on or about
the 3rd of July, 1789; that Don Martinez, on observing her in the
offing, boarded her in his launch and with expressions of civility,
promised Mr. Colnett, her commander, every assistance in his power;
that before the Argonaut entered the sound, Mr. Thomas Barnett
(who belonged to the North- West America, and was then a prisoner)
came off in a canoe and informed Mr. Colnett of the proceedings
which had taken place, and of the danger to which he was exposed ;
but that under the assurances given by Don Martinez that the
Argonaut should remain unmolested, and being in want of refresh-
ments for the crew, Mr. Colnett proceeded into Nootka Sound.
" That, notwithstanding the assurances given by Don Martinez,
lie, the next day, sent the lieutenant of the Princessa with a military
force to take possession of the Argonaut ; and that ship was accord-
ingly seized in the name of his Catholic Majesty ; the British flag
was hauled down and the Spanish flag was hoisted in its stead.
"That on the seizure of the Argonaut, her officers and men were
made prisoners, and Mr. Colnett was threatened to be hanged at the
yard-arm in case of his refusing compliance with any directions
which might be given to him.
"That on the 13th of July, the Princess Royal, as stated in her
journal, again appeared off the port of Nootka ; that her commander
approaching the sound in his boat in expectation of finding there the
commander of the expedition (from whom he was desirous of
receiving instructions for his future proceedings), was seized and
made prisoner by Don Martinez, and, under threats of hanging him
at the yard-arm, forced him to send orders to his officers to deliver
up the Princess Royal without contest.
" That a Spanish officer was despatched into the offing with these
orders, and that the vessel was accordingly seized in the name of his
Catholic Majesty and brought into port ; that her crew were in
consequence made prisoners, and that her cargo, consisting of 473
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 39
skins, including 203 which had been put on board her from the
North-West America, was seized.
"That Mr. Colnett, from the circumstances of his capture, became
so deranged that he attempted frequently to destroy himself, and
that, according to the last accounts received, the state of his mind
was such as to render him unfit for the management of any business
which might have been entrusted to his care ; that in this melancholy
situation, however, Don Martinez, notwithstanding the vessel and
cargo had before been formally seized, attempted to procure from him
the sale of the copper, of which a principal part of the cargo of the
Princess Royal had been composed, and that such sale would actually
have taken place had not the other officers of that vessel, seeing
Colnett's insanity, prevented it.
"Your memorialist further begs leave to represent that the
American ship Columbia, intending to proceed to China, the crew
of the North- West America were ordered by Don Martinez on board
her, principally, as your memorialist understands, for the purpose of
assisting in her navigation to China ; the greater part of her crew,
as well as of her provisions, having been previously put on board the
Washington in order that she might be enabled to continue on the
coast.
"That the Columbia having reduced her provisions considerably
from the supplies she had spared to her consort, was furnished from
the Argonaut by order of Don Martinez with what was necessary for
her voyage, said to be intended, however, for the supply of the North-
West America ; that previous to the departure of the Columbia,
ninety-six skins were also put on board her to defray the wages of the
officers and crew of the North-West America, under a supposition
that their late employers would be unable to liquidate their demands,,
first deducting, however, thirty per cent, from the sales, which Don
Martinez had agreed should be paid for the freight on the said skin&
to the American commanders.
"That the Columbia thus supplied, left Nootka Sound accordingly,,
and proceeded to the southward ; that a few days after she entered,
Port Cox, where she was joined by her consort, the Washington, from
whom she received a considerable number of skins, conceived to be
the whole, excepting the ninety-six before mentioned, which had
been collected by the Spaniards as well as by British traders, and
with which, after sparing a further quantity of provisions to the
Washington, the Columbia proceeded to China, where she arrived on
the 2nd of November, and landed the crew of the North-West
A merica.
"That the crew of the North-West America saw the Argonaut
proceed as a prize to San Bias ; that her officers and men, who were
Europeans, were put on board her as prisoners ; that the Princess
Royal was shortly to follow with her crew in confinement in the
same manner. The Washington, on joining the Columbia in Port
Cox. gave information that the Princess Royal had also sailed for
San Bias.
40 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
" That Don Martinez had thought tit, however, to detain the
Chinese and had compelled them to enter into the service of Spain,
and that on the departure of the Columbia they were, employed in
the mines, which had then been opened on the lands which your
memorialist had purchased.
" Your memorialist begs leave to annex a statement of the actual
as well as the probable losses which he and his associates have
sustained from the unwarrantable and unjustifiable proceedings of
Don Martinez, in open violation of the treaty of peace subsisting
between this country and the Court of Spain, and at times and in
situations where, according to the common laws of hospitality, they
might have expected a very different conduct.
"Your memorialist therefore most humbly begs leave to submit
the case of himself and his associates to the consideration of the
Government, in full confidence that the proper and necessary
measures will be taken to obtain that redress which he and his
associates have, as British subjects, a right to expect.
" (Signed) JOHN MEARES.
"LONDON, 30th April, 1790."
LOSSES BY CAPTAIN MEARES. — The statement referred to in the
foregoing memorial places the actual losses, given in detail, at
$153,433, and the probable losses at $500,000.
Prompt action was taken by the British Government relative to
the high handed proceedings of the Spaniards. On the 25th of May,
1790, the following message from his Majesty King George III.,
relative to the capture of certain vessels by the Spaniards in Nootka
Sound, was presented to both Houses of Parliament :
MESSAGE FROM KING GEORGE III. — "GEORGE R. His Majesty
has received information that two vessels belonging to his Majesty's
subjects, and navigated under the British flag, and two others, of
which the description is not hitherto sufficiently ascertained, have
been captured at Nootka Sound, on the north-western coast of
America, by an officer commanding two Spanish ships of war ; that
the cargoes of the British vessels have been seized, and their officers
and crews have been sent as prisoners to a Spanish port.
" The capture of one of these vessels had before been notified by
the ambassador of his Catholic Majesty, by order of his court, who
at the same time desired that measures might be taken for preventing
his Majesty's subjects from frequenting these coasts, which were
alleged to have been previously occupied and frequented by the
subjects of Spain. Complaints were already made of the fisheries
carried on by his Majesty's subjects in the seas adjoining to the
Spanish continent, as being contrary to the rights of the crown of
Spain. In consequence of this communication, a demand was
immediately made by his Majesty's order, for adequate satisfac-
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 41
tion, and for the restitution of the vessel, previous to any other
discussion.
"By answer from the Court of Spain it appears that this vessel
and her crew had been set at liberty by the viceroy of Mexico; but
this is represented to have been done by him on the supposition that
nothing but the ignorance of the rights of Spain encouraged the
individuals of other nations to come to these coasts for the purpose
of making establishments, or carrying on trade, and in conformity to
his previous instructions, requiring him to show all possible regard to
the British nation. No satisfaction is made or offered, and a direct
claim is asserted by the Court of Spain to the exclusive rights of
sovereignty, navigation and commerce in the territories, coasts and
seas in that part of the world.
" His Majesty has now directed his minister at Madrid to make a
fresh representation on this subject, and to claim such full and
adequate satisfaction as the nature of the case evidently requires.
And under these circumstances his Majesty, having also received
information that considerable armaments are carrying on in the ports
of Spain, has judged it indispensably necessary to give orders for
making such preparations as may put it in his Majesty's power to
act with vigor and effect in support of the honor of his crown and
the interests of his people. And his Majesty commends it to his
faithful Commons, on whose zeal and public spirit he has the most
perfect reliance, to enable him to take such measures and to make
such augmentation of his forces, as may be eventually necessary for
this purpose. •
"It is his Majesty's earnest wish that the justice of his Majesty's
demands may ensure from the wisdom and equity of his Catholic
Majesty the satisfaction which is so unquestionably due ; and that
this aflair may be terminated in such a manner as may prevent any
grounds of misunderstanding in future, and to continue and confirm
that harmony and friendship which has so happily subsisted between
the two courts, and which his Majesty will always endeavor to
maintain and improve by all such means as are consistent with the
dignity of his Majesty's crown and the essential interests of his
subjects. G. R,"
THE HOUSE OF LORDS APPROVED TEIE KING'S MESSAGE. — On the
26th May an " humble address of the Right Honorable the Lords
Spiritual and Temporal, in parliament assembled," was passed,
approving of his Majesty's message.
42 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
CHAPTEE III.
EXTRAVAGANT CLAIMS OF SPAIN.
THE SPANISH REPLY. — The Court of Spain was immediately com-
municated with. This brought out the following elaborate document
from Count Florida Blanca, the Spanish minister :
MEMORIAL OF THE COURT OF SPAIN, delivered June 13th, 1790, to
Mr. Fitzherbert, the British ambassador at Madrid :
" By every treaty upon record betwixt Spain and the other nations
of Europe, for upwards of two centuries, an exclusive right of
property, navigation and commerce to the Spanish West Indies has
been universally secured to Spain, England having always stood
forth in a particular manner in support of such right.
" By Article 8th of the Treaty of Utrecht (a treaty in which all
the European nations may be said to have taken part), Spain and
England profess to establish it as a fundamental principle of agree-
ment, that the navigation and commerce of the West Indies, under the
dominion of Spain, shall remain in the precise situation in which they
stood in the reign of his Catholic Majesty Charles II., and that rule
shall be invariably adhered to, and be incapable of infringement.
" After this maxim, the two powers stipulated that Spain should
never grant liberty or permission to any nation to trade or introduce
their merchandise into Spanish American dominions, nor to sell, cede,
or give up to any other nation, its lands, dominions or territories, or
any part thereof. On the contrary, and in order that its territories
should be preserved whole and entire, England offers to aid and
assist the Spaniards in re-establishing the limits of their American
dominions, and placing them in the exact situation they stood in the
time of his said Catholic Majesty Charles II., if by accident it shall
be discovered that they have undergone any alteration to the prejudice
of Spain, in whatever manner or pretext such alteration may have
been brought about.
" The vast extent of the Spanish territories, navigation and
dominion on the Continent of America, isles and seas contiguous to
the South Sea, are clearly laid down and authenticated by a variety
of documents, laws and formal acts of possession in the reign of King
Charles II. It is also clearly ascertained, that notwithstanding the
repeated attempts made by adventurers and pirates on the Spanish
coasts of the South Sea and adjacent islands, Spain has still preserved
her possessions entire, and opposed with success those usurpations by
constantly sending her ships and vessels to take possession of such
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 43
settlements. By these measures and reiterated acts of possession,
Spain has preserved the dominion, which she has extended to the
borders of the Russian establishments in that part of the world.
"The viceroys of Peru and New Spain having been informed that
these seas had been, for some years past, more frequented than
formerly; that smuggling had increased; that several usurpations
prejudicial to Spain and the general tranquillity had been suffered to
be made, they have orders that the western coasts of Spanish America,
and islands and seas adjacent should be more frequently navigated
and explored.
" They were also informed that several Russian vessels were upon
the point of making commercial establishments upon that coast. At
the time that Spain demonstrated to Russia the inconveniences
attendant upon such encroachments, she entered upon the negotiation
with Russia upon the supposition that the Russian navigators of the
Pacific Ocean had no orders to make establishments within the limits
of Spanish America, of which the Spaniards were the first possessors
(limits situated within Prince William Sound), purposely to avoid all
dissentions, and in order to maintain the harmony and amity which
Spain wished to preserve.
"The Court of Russia replied, that it had already given orders
that its subjects should make no settlement in places belonging to
other powers ; and that if those orders had been violated, and had
any been made in Spanish America, they desired the king would put
a stop to them in a friendly manner. To this pacific language on
the part of Russia, Spain observed that she could not be answerable
for what her officers might do at that distance, whose general orders
and instructions were not to permit any settlements to be made by
other nations an the Continent of Spanish America.
" Though trespasses had been made by the English on some of the
islands of those coasts, which had given rise to similar complaints
having been made to the Court of London, Spain did not know
that the English had endea\ored to make any settlements on the
northern part of the Southern Ocean, till the commander of a Spanish
ship, in the usual tour of the coasts of California, found two American
vessels in St. Lawrence, or Nootka Harbor, where he was going for
provisions and stores. These vessels he permitted to proceed on their
voyage, it appearing from their papers that they were driven there by
distress, and only came in to refit.
"He also found there the Iphigenia from Macao, under Portuguese
colors, which had a passport from the governor ; and though he came
manifestly with a view to trade there, yet the Spanish admiral, when
he saw his instructions, gave him leave to depart upon his signing an
engagement to pay the value of the vessel, should the Government of
Mexico declare it a lawful prize.
" With this vessel there came a second, which the admiral detained,
and a few days after, a third, named the Argonaut, from the above
mentioned place. The captain of this latter was an Englishman.
He came not only to trade, but brought everything with him proper
44 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
to form a settlement there and to fortify it. This, notwithstanding
the remonstrances of the Spanish admiral, he persevered in, and was
detained, together with his vessel.
" After him came a fourth English vessel, named the Princess
Royal, and evidently for the same purposes. She likewise was
detained and sent to Port St. Bias, where the pilot of the Argonaut
made away with himself.
" The viceroy, on being informed of these particulars, gave orders
that the captain and vessels should be released, and that they should
have leave to refit, without declaring them a lawful prize ; and this
he did. on account of the ignorance of the proprietors, and the friend-
ship which subsisted between the Courts of London and Madrid.
" He also gave them leave to return to Macao with their cargo,
after capitulating with them in the same manner as with the Portu-
guese captain, and leaving the affair to be finally determined by the
Count de Revillagigado, his successor, who also gave them their liberty.
u As soon as the Court of Madrid had received an account of the
detention of the first English vessel at Nootka Sound, and before that
of the second arrived, it ordered its ambassador at London to make a
report thereof to the English minister, which he did on the 10th of
February last, and to require that the parties who had planned these
expeditions should be punished, in order to deter others from making
settlements on territories occupied and frequented by the Spaniards
for a number of years.
" In the ambassador's memorial, mention was only made of the
Spanish admiral that commanded the present armament, having
visited Nootka Sound in 1774, though that harbor had been frequently
visited both before and since, with the usual forms of taking possession.
These forms were repeated more particularly in the years 1755 and
1779, all along the coasts, as far as Prince William's Sound, and it
was these acts that gave occasion to the memorial made by the Court
of Russia as has been already noticed.
"The Spanish ambassador 'at London did not represent in this
memorial at that time, that the right of Spain to these coasts was
conformable to ancient] boundaries which had been guaranteed by
England at the Treaty of Utrecht, in the reign of Charles II., deem-
ing it to be unnecessary ; as orders had been given and vessels had
actually been seized on those coasts as far back as 1692.
'; The answer that the English ministry gave, on the 26th of
February, was, that they had not as yet been informed of the facts
stated by the ambassador, and that the act of violence, mentioned in
his memorial, necessarily suspended any discussion of the claims
therein, till an adequate atonement had been made for a proceeding
so injurious to Great Britain.
" In addition to this haughty language of the British minister, he
further added, that the ship must in the first place be restored ; and
that with respect to any further stipulations, it would be necessary
to wait for a fuller detail of all the circumstances of this affair.
"The harsh and laconic style .in which this answer was given,
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 45
made the Court of Madrid suspect that the King of Great Britain's
ministers were forming other plans ; and they were the more induced
to think so, as there were reports that they were going to fit out two
fleets, one for the Mediterranean and the other for the Baltic. This
of course obliged Spain to increase the small squadron she was
getting ready to exercise her marine.
"The Court of Spain then ordered her ambassador at London to
present a memorial to the British ministry,, setting forth that though
the Crown of Spain has an indubitable right to the continent, islands,
harbors and coasts in that part of the world, founded on treaties and
immemorial possession, yet the viceroy of Mexico had released the
vessels that were detained, tlws king looked upon the affair as
concluded, without entering into any disputes or discussions on
the undoubted rights of Spain ; and desiring to give a proof of his
friendship for Great Britain, he should rest satisfied if she ordered
that her subjects in future respected those rights.
"As if Spain, in this answer, had laid claim to the empire of
that ocean, though she only spoke of what belonged to her by
treaties, and as if it had been so grievous an offence to terminate
this affair by restitution of the only vessel which was then known
to have been taken, it excited such clamor and agitation in the
parliament of England that the most vigorous preparations for war
had been commenced ; and those powers disinclined to peace, charge
Spain with designs contrary to her known principles of honor and
probity as well as to the tranquillity of Europe, which the Spanish
monarch had in view.
" While England was employed in making the greatest armaments
and preparations, that court made answer to the Spanish ambassador
(upon the 5th of May) that the acts of violence committed against
the British flag 'rendered it necessary for the sovereign to charge
his minister at Madrid to renew the remonstrances (being the answer
of England already mentioned), and to require that satisfaction which
his Majesty thought he had an indisputable right to demand.'
" To this was added a declaration not to enter formally into the
matter until a satisfactory answer was obtained ; ' and at the same
time the memorial of Spain should not include in it the question of
right,' which formed a most essential part of the discussion.
"The British administration offer, in the same answer, to take
the most effectual and pacific measures that the English subjects
shall not act 'against the just and acknowledged rights of Spain, but
that they cannot at present accede to the pretensions of absolute
sovereignty, commerce and navigation which appeared to be the
principal object of the memorial of the ambassador, aud that the
King of England considers it as a duty incumbent upon him to
protect his subjects in the enjoyment of the right of continuing their
fishery in the Pacific Ocean.'
"If this pretension is found to trespass upon the ancient boundaries
laid down in the reign of King Charles II. and guaranteed by
46 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
England in the Treaty of Utrecht, as Spain believes, it appears that
that court will have good reason for disputing and opposing this
claim ; an 1 it is to be hoped that the equity of the British
administration will suspend and restrict it accordingly.
" In consequence of the foregoing answer, the charge d'affaires from
the Court of London at Madrid insisted, in a memorial of the IGth of
May, on restitution of the vessel detained at Nootka and the property
therein contained; of an indemnification for the losses sustained, and
on a reparation proportioned to the injury done to the English
subjects trading under the British flag, and that they have an
indisputable right to the enjoyment of a free and uninterrupted
navigation, commerce and fishery;* and to the possession of such
establishments as they should form with the consent of the natives
of the country not previously occupied by any of the European
nations.
"An explicit and prompt answer was desired upon this head, in
such terms as might tend to calm the anxieties and to maintain the
friendship subsisting between the two courts.
" The charge d'affaires, having observed that a suspension of the
Spanish armaments would contribute to tranquillity upon the terms
to be communicated by the British administration, an answer was
made by the Spanish administration that the king was sincerely
inclined to disarm upon the principles of reciprocity, and proportioned
to the circumstances of the two courts, adding that the Court of
Spain was actuated by the most pacific intentions and a desire to
give every satisfaction and indemnification, if justice was not on
their side, provided England did as much if she was found to be in
the wrong.
"This answer must convince all the courts of Europe that the
conduct of the king and his administrators is consonant to the
invariable principles of justice, truth and peace.
" (Signed) EL CONDE DE FLORIDA BLANCA."
Mr. FITZHERBERT replied as follows :
"SiR, — In compliance with your Excellency's desire, I have now
the honor to communicate to you in writing what I observed to you
in the conversation we had the day before yesterday. The substance
of these observations are briefly these :
" The Court of London is animated with the most sincere desire of
terminating the difference that at present subsists between it and the
court of Madrid, relative to the port of Nootka and the adjacent
latitudes, by a friendly negotiation ; but it is evident, upon the
clearest principles of justice and reason, that an equal negotiation
cannot be opened till matters are put in their original state ; and
as certain acts have been committed in the latitudes in question
belonging to the royal marine of Spain, against several British
vessels, without any reprisals having been made, of any sort, on the
part of Britain, that power is perfectly in the right to insist, as a
preliminary condition, upon a prompt and suitable reparation for
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 47
those acts of violence ; and in consequence of this principle, the
practice of nations has limited such right of reparation to three
articles, viz., the restitution of the vessels, a full indemnification for
the losses sustained by the parties injured, and, finally, satisfaction
to the sovereign for the insult offered to his flag ; so that it is
evident that the actual demands of my court, far from containing
anything to prejudice the rights or dignity of his Catholic Majesty,
amount to no more, in fact, than what is constantly done by Great
Britain herself, as well as every other maritime power, in similar
circumstances.
"Finally, as to the nature of the satisfaction which the Court of
London exacts upon this occasion and to which your Excellency
appears to desire some explanation, I am authorized, sir, to assure
you that if his Catholic Majesty consents to make a declaration in
his name, bearing in substance that he had determined to offer to
his Britannic Majesty a just and suitable satisfaction for the insult
offered to his flag, such offer joined to a restitution of the vessels
captured, and to indemnify the proprietors, under the conditions
specified in the official letter of Mr. Merry on the 16th of May, will
be regarded by his Britannic Majesty as constituting in itself the
satisfaction demanded ; and his said Majesty will accept of it as
such by a counter-declaration on his part.
" I have to add that as it appears uncertain if the vessels, the
North- West America, an American vessel, and the Iphiyenia, had
truly a right to enjoy the protection of the British flag, the king will
with pleasure consent that an examination of the question, as well as
that relative to the just amount of the losses sustained by his
subjects, may be left to the determination of the commissioners to
be named by the two courts.
" Having thus recapitulated to your Excellency the heads of what
I observed to you in conversation, I fatter myself you will weigh
the whole in your mind with that spirit of equity and moderation
which characterizes you, that I may be in a condition of sending to
my court, as soon as possible, a satisfactory answer as to the point
contained in the official paper sent to Mr. Merry on the 4th of this
month, and which for the reasons I have mentioned cannot be
regarded by his Britannic Majesty as fulfilling his just expectations.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
" ALLEYNE FITZHERBERT."
SPAIN AND FRANCE — FAMILY COMPACT.- -At this critical juncture in
the history of Spain, in virtue of the Family Compact which existed,
France came forward to support her neighboring ally against Great
Britain. On the 16th of June, Count de Fernan Nunez, Secretary
of the Foreign Department of France, sent a despatch from Paris to
the Court of London, notifying the Government of Britain of the
support of his Government to the claim of Spain to all the west
48 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
coast of North America, as far north as the 61st degree of latitude,
in Prince William Sound. A decree was passed on the 1st of
August in the National Assembly of France on behalf of the Family
Compact, to renew former treaties, offensive and defensive, with
Spain, giving orders that the French marine should be increased to
forty-five ships of the line, with a proportionate number of frigates
and other vessels.
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. — Spain continued to make preparations
for war, but depended greatly on support from the allied powers.
That'support, however, was not to be relied on to the extent required.
In the interim the ambassadors were engaged in discussing the ques-
tion pro and con. Couriers were constantly employed carrying
despatches between Madrid and London. Mr. Fitzherbert claimed
for Britain the right to trade and settle on any part of the coast not
actually occupied. The Spanish minister proposed to admit the right
north of latitude 51 degrees, and for a distance of twenty leagues
into the interior. Subsequently other boundaries were suggested.
BRITISH PROPOSITIONS. — The British ambassador consented to the
line of 40 north latitude from the Pacific to the Missouri River,
beyond which line the territory should be free to all nations — the
subjects of each having access to the settlements of the other. The
Spaniards declined that proposition. At length, on the 28th of
October, Mr. Fitzherbert submitted a new proposition, which after
discussion and modifications, and after having been brought before a
junta of high Spanish officials, was agreed upon by both plenipoten-
tiaries. The following is a portion of the document. It saved Spain
from plunging into a war which she had neither credit nor money to
carry on. It proceeds :
MR. FITZHERBERT'S PROPOSAL. — "Their Britannic and Catholic
Majesties, being desirous of terminating by a speedy and solid agree-
ment, the differences which have lately arisen between the two
crowns, have adjudged that the best way of obtaining the salutary
object would be that of an amicable arrangement, which, setting
aside all retrospective discussion of the rights and pretensions of the
two parties, their true interests, as well as to the mutual desire with
which their said majesties are animated, of establishing with each
other, in everything and in all places the most perfect friendship,
harmony and good correspondence. In this view they have named
(the plenipotentiaries) who have agreed upon the following articles :
" ARTICLE I. — It is agreed that the buildings and tracts of land,
situate on the north-west coast of the Continent of North America, or
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 49
.on islands adjacent to that continent, of which the subjects of his
Britannic Majesty were dispossessed, about the month of April,
1789, by a Spanish officer, shall be restored to the said British
subjects.
" ARTICLE II. — And further a just reparation shall be made,
according to the nature of the case, for all acts of violence or hostility,
which may have been committed subsequent to the month of April,
1789, by the subjects of either of the contracting parties against the
subjects of the other ; and that, in case any of the said respective
subjects shall, since the same period, have been forcibly dispossessed
of their lands, buildings, vessels, merchandise, and other property
whatever, on the said continent, or on the seas or islands adjacent,
they shall be re-established in the possession thereof, or a just com-
pensation shall be made to them for the losses which they have
sustained.
" ARTICLE III. — And, in order to strengthen the bonds of friend-
ship, and to preserve in future a perfect harmony, etc., it is agreed
that their respective subjects shall not be disturbed or molested, either
in navigating or carrying on their fisheries in the Pacific Ocean, or in
the South Seas, or in landing on the coasts of those seas, in places
not already occupied, for the purpose of carrying on their commerce
with the natives of the country, or of making settlements there ; the
whole subject, nevertheless, to the restrictions specified in the three
following articles :
"ARTICLE IV. — His Britannic Majesty engages to take the most
effectual measures to prevent the navigation and fishery of his
subjects in the Pacific Ocean, or in the South Seas, from being made
a pretext for illicit trade with the Spanish settlements ; and with this
view, it is moreover expressly stipulated that British subjects shall
not navigate, or carry on their fishery in the said seas, within the
space of ten sea leagues from any part of the coasts already occupied
by Spain.
" ARTICLE V. — It is agreed, that as well in the places which are to
be restored to the British subjects, by virtue of the first article, as in
all other parts of the north-western coasts of North America, or of
the islands adjacent, situated to the north of the parts of the said
coast already occupied by Spain, wherever the subjects of either of
the two powers shall have made settlements since the month of April,
1789, or shall hereafter make any, the subjects of the other shall
have free access, and shall carry on their trade without any disturb-
ance or molestation.
" ARTICLE VI. — No settlements to be made by subjects of either
power on coasts and islands of South America, south of parts already
occupied by Spain ; yet, subjects of both powers may land for
purposes of fishery and of erecting temporary buildings serving for
those purposes only.
"ARTICLE VII. — In all cases of complaint or infraction of the
articles of the present convention, the officers of either party, without
50 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
permitting themselves, previously to commit any violence or act of
force, shall be bound to make an exact report of the affair, and of its
circumstances to their respective courts, who will terminate such
differences in an amicable manner.
" ARTICLE VIII. — Convention to be ratified in six weeks or sooner
from date of signature. (Signed, etc.) FITZHERBEBT and BLANCA."
CHAPTER IV.
NEW DISCOVERIES AND EXTENSIVE SURVEYS.
CAPTAIN GEORGE VANCOUVER APPOINTED. — To carry into effect
the decision relative to the right of sovereignty and other affairs at
Nootka, which had just been agreed on and accepted by Great
Britain and Spain, the British Admiralty
selected and appointed Lieutenant GEORGE
VANCOUVER to take charge of an expedition
to the north-west of America. His commis-
sion was made out in December, 1790, requir-
ing him to take command of two vessels then
fitting out for the purposes mentioned, and
that he should proceed to the north-west
coast of America, there to be placed in pos-
session, by the Spaniards residing at Nootka,
of the districts and parcels of land occupied
CAPTA.X GEORGE VANCOUVER. b? his Majesty's subjects in 1789; and also
to make a close examination of the coast from
latitude 30° north to 60° north, more especially with respect to any
water communication between the west coast and the country upon
the opposite side of the Continent.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTER OF VANCOUVER. — That Captain
Vancouver was eminently fitted for the discharge of the important
duties included in his commission and instructions, is evident from
the fact that having joined the British navy in 1771, when only
thirteen years of age, he was, by his good conduct and efficiency,
promoted step by step, from " able-bodied seaman " to midshipman,
under the celebrated navigator, Captain Cook, on the ships Resolution
and Discovery ; and that he passed as lieutenant in October, 1780,
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 51
under certificates from Captains Cook, Gore, Clerke and King ; and
that on account of his excellent character, the ordinary delay of
promotion was dispensed with by order of the Admiralty. He
afterwards served as lieutenant under Lord Rodney in the West
Indies, and thus gained a thoroughly practical training and nautical
experience of about twenty years. The able and diplomatic manner
in which he dealt with the Spaniards at Nootka is proof of his ability
and tact in that respect, whilst the extension and accurate surveys
which were subsequently made, showed that he and his officers were
admirably fitted for the discharge of the duties assigned to them in
that department by the British Admiralty.
THE OFFICERS OF THE "DISCOVERY" AND "CHATHAM." — The ships
of which he was given command were the Discovery and Chatham;
the former a small, ship-rigged vessel of 340 tons, armed with ten
4-pounders and ten swivels; the latter, a brig of 135 tons, armed
with four 3-pounders and six swivels. The swivels were small
cannons fitted in a socket in the bulwarks, permitting them to be
turned in any direction. The crew of the Discovery numbered, in all^
one hundred ; the crew of the Chatham, forty-five, the following being
the officers : H.M.S. Discovery — Captain, George Vancouver ; First
Lieutenant, Zacheriah Mudge ; Second Lieutenant, Peter Puget ;
Third Lieutenant, Joseph Baker ; Master, Joseph Whidby ; three
master's mates, surgeon, boatswain, carpenter, gunner, and six
midshipmen. H.M.S. Chatham — Commander, Lieutenant W. R.
Broughton; Lieutenant, Jas. Hanson; Master, Jas. Johnstone; two
master's mates, surgeon, boatswain, gunner and four midshipmen.
THE SHIPS LEAVE THE THAMES, 1791. — The ships left the Thames
on January 26th, 1791, and Falmouth on April 1st, taking the route
via Cape of Good Hope. Captain Vancouver arrived on the western
ooast of Australia, September 27th, and remained on that coast until
October 23rd, discovering and naming certain portions which had
been passed by Captain Cook. He proceeded via Van Diemen's Land
to New Zealand, where a stay was made, for refitting, from the 2nd
to the 22nd November, in Dusky Bay. The vessels then sailed for
the Society Islands, where they remained until January, 1792.
AT THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. — The course was next shaped for the
Sandwich Islands, where they made a stay until the 16th of March.
Sail was then set for the north-west coast, which was sighted on 18th
of April, in latitude 39° N. Coasting northwards, at daylight April
29th, a sail was sighted, the first they had seen for eight months.
52 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
The stranger hoisted United States colors, and fired a gun to the
leeward. On being spoken, she proved to be the ship Columbia, of
Boston, commanded by 'Robert Gray, who reported having been nine
days off the mouth of a large river, but which he could not enter
owing to strong currents.
CAPE FLATTERY, 29TH APRIL, 1792. — Captain Vancouver reached
Cape Flattery by noon on the 29th. Proceeding up the Straits of
Fuca, the Indian village of Classett was noticed, and about two miles
beyond the village a small bay with a little island lying off to its
eastern side, was passed. This is now known as Neah Bay. The
high shores of the northern side of the straits could only be indis-
tinctly seen through the rain, and the weather became more
unpleasant as the day advanced, the wind veering to the S. E. This
obliged the vessel to keep close along the southern shore, and at seven
in the evening they came to anchor, one mile from the beach and in
twenty-three fathoms of water, about eight miles within the entrance
of the straits.
A CENTURY AFTERWARDS. — A competent navigator and a modern
writer on Vancouver's centenary, says : " The following morning,
April 30th, with a gentle breeze from the N. W., clear and pleasant
weather, the vessels steered to the eastward at a distance of about
two miles from the southern shore. At noon the latitude was
observed as 48° 19' north, and during the afternoon the delightful
serenity of the weather and the smoothness of the sea enabled lunar
observations to be taken for ascertaining the longitude. From these
observations the position of Cape Flattery was determined as 48°
23^' N., and 125° 45' W. This position speaks well for the exactness
of Vancouver's observations, as the latitude here is correct and the
longitude, the great bugbear in navigation in those days, only 23 ' too
far east. In many other instances in his work the latitude and longi-
tude of notable places are given, and in nearly all the latitude is
correct and the longitude not deviating more than 15' from what is
assigned to those positions now. Vancouver had three chronometers
with him, made by the best makers of the day, one of them having been
previously round the world with Captain Cook. However, not much
confidence could be placed in their performance, and they were
principally used to carry on one set of lunar observations to another.
The smallest rate was a gaining one of 21" per day and the largest
40", very large rates when compared with good chronometers of the
present day.
MOUNT BAKER. — " As the day advanced, the wind and weather,
which was delightfully pleasant, accelerated their progress, and at
five in the afternoon, a very low sandy spit was observed projecting
from the cliffy shores into the sea, and at the same time away to the
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 53
north-eastward a high conspicuous mountain was seen towering above
the clouds and covered with snow. As the third lieutenant was the
first to see it, the mountain was named in honor of him Mount Baker.
[This officer was promoted to first lieutenant in 1794. — ED.] Just
inside the sandy spit the vessels anchored for the night, and as the
low point bore a great resemblance to Dungeness in the British
channel, it was named New Dungeness.
EXPLORATIONS COMMENCED. — "Tuesday, May 1, 1792, was ushered
in by weather delightfully fine, and the boats of the Discovery were
got out for explorations along the coast. They returned at night
with the knowledge that a short distance farther to the eastward was
a large bay with an island protecting its entrance, and to this bay
the ship sailed next morning, Vancouver naming it Port Discovery
after his ship, and the island Protection Island.
THOROUGH WORK WAS PERFORMED. — " The ships securely moored
in Port Discovery, the boats were again got ready for explorations,
and on the morning of May 7 the Discovery's yawl, with Captain
Vancouver, the launch, Lieutenant Puget, and the Chatham's cutter,
Mr. Johnstone, left for the eastward. The boats separated and all of
them rejoined the next day, having made the circuit of a very safe
and more capacious harbor than Port Discovery, and rendered more
pleasant by the high lands being at a greater distance from the water
side. To this port was given the name of Port Townsend in honor
of the noble marquis of that name.
INLETS, BAYS, AND BASINS. — " By the end of the month an exam-
ination and preliminary survey were completed of those hitherto
unknown inlets, bays, and basins, whose shore lines are now known
to measure 1,800 miles. Captain Vancouver named that wonderfully
situated branch of the Pacific Ocean — Puget Sound — after Mr. Puget,
one of his lieutenants, whose assistance in tracing its sinuous shores,
he says, he found of very great value.
Two SPANISH VESSELS. — "On completing the survey of Puget Sound,
Vancouver continued his voyage northward, surveying Burrard Inlet,
Howe Sound, etc. In an inlet near Gray's Point, June 22, he found two
Spanish vessels of forty-five tons burden, with twenty -four men each,
under command of Senor Don D. Galiano, and Senor Don C. Valdez,
who were engaged in surveying those channels, having come from
Nootka by the north end of the island. They received Vancouver with
great courtesy, and informed him that at Nootka there were three
Spanish frigates and a brig awaiting his arrival. They gave him copies
of their charts, which facilitated his voyage northward. He rounded
Cape Scott, the north-west point of Vancouver Island, on the 25th,
and reached Nootka on the 27th of August. At the entrance of the
harbor he was met by a Spanish officer and a pilot, who brought the
Discovery to anchor near where ' His Catholic Majesty's' brig Active
was riding, bearing the broad pennant of Sen. Don Juan Francisco
de la y Bodega Quadra, commandant of the marine establishment of
San Bias and California."
54 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
QUADRA AND VANCOUVER, — As Senor Quadra lived on shore,
Lieutenant Puget was sent to acquaint him of Vancouver's arrival,
and to inquire if a royal salute to the flag would be accepted. A
polite reply in the affirmative was returned, and a salute of thirteen
guns exchanged. Vancouver afterwards went ashore and was
received with great cordiality. Many visits were exchanged between
Quadra and Vancouver. The situation was fully discussed. On the
one hand Vancouver had instructions, in accordance with the first
article of the late convention, to receive from Quadra the buildings
and tracts of land of which British subjects had been dispossessed in
1789. On the other hand, Quadra desired delay as he had not
received special instructions from his Government on the subject.
His predecessor, and those who favored his views, were anxious to
shut out British traders.
DEATH OF QUADRA. — The representatives of Britain and Spain
continued to act in amity. It was agreed between them that the
whole matter relative to the transfer should remain in abeyance until
further instructions were received, and that in the meantime the
large island which Vancouver had just circumnavigated, should for
the time being be named " Quadra and Vancouver Island." Quadra
and his fleet left Nootka on the 22nd of September, 1792, for his
Mexican headquarters at San Bias ; and Vancouver, as soon as he had
completed arrangements for storing supplies, etc., left Nootka on the
12th of October for the Sandwich Islands, where he wintered. Senor
Quadra died the following March, greatly regretted by Captain Van-
couver. He was succeeded by General Jose Manuel de Alva, who
was appointed commander of the San Bias establishment and as
commissioner at Nootka.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 55
CHAPTEK V.
IMPORTANT STATE PAPERS.
FRESH EVIDENCE. — Before Vancouver left Nootka, Mr. Duffin
(first officer on the Felice), one of the men who had been employed
by Captain Meares, opportunely arrived and gave evidence as follows.
His evidence probably formed part of the despatches sent by Van-
couver to England via China by an envoy. It furnished direct facts
from an eye-witness :
To Captain George Vancouver, Commander of his Britannic Majesty's
ships, "Discovery" and " Chatham" now lying in Friendly Cove,
King George's Sound.
" SIR, — Whereas different reports have been propagated relative to
what right Mr. Meares hnd for taking possession of the land i i
Friendly Cove, Nootka Sound, I shall state with that candor and
veracity which always influence me on such occasions, an impartial
account of Mr. Meares's proceedings in the above mentioned port.
"Toward the close of 1787, a commercial expedition was under-
taken by Henry Cox, Esq., & Co., merchants, then residing at Macao,
who accordingly fitted and equipped two ships for the fur trade on
the north-west coast of America. The management of this expedi-
tion was reposed in John Meares, Esq., as commander-in-chief and
sole conductor of the voyage, and who was likewise one of the
merchant proprietors. These vessels were equipped under Portu-
guese colors, with a view to mitigate those heavy port charges
imposed on ships of every nation (the Portuguese only excepted),
which circumstance is well known to all commercial gentlemen
trading in that part of the world. Under those circumstances the
said vessels fitted out in the name and under the firm of John
Cavallo, Esq., a Portuguese merchant then residing at -Macao. He
had no property in them whatsoever — both their cargoes being
entirely British property and the vessel navigated solely by the
subjects of his Britannic Majesty.
" On our arrival the first time in the above port in Nootka Sound,
which was in May, 1788, the two chiefs, Maquilla and Calicum, were
absent. On their return, which was either on the 17th or the 18th
of the same month, Mr. Meares, accompanied by myself and Mr.
Robert Funter, second officer, went on shore and traded with the
said chiefs for the whole of the land that forms Friendly Cove, in
56 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
his Britannic Majesty's name. He accordingly bought it of them
for eight or ten sheets of copper and several other trifling articles.
The natives were fully satisfied with their agreement. The chief and
likewise the people did homage to Mr. Meares as their sovereign,
using those formalities that are peculiar to themselves and which Mr.
Meares has made mention of in his publication. The British flag
was displayed on shore at the same time, and those formalities were
used as is customary on such occasions, and not the Portuguese flag
as has been insinuated by several people who were not present
at the time ; consequently they advanced those assertions without
foundation.
"On taking possession of the cove in his Britannic Majesty's name
as before mentioned, Mr. Meares caused a house to be erected on the
very spot where the Chatham's tent is at present, it being the most
convenient part of the cove for our intentions. The chiefs with
their subjects offered to quit the cove entirely and reside at a place
called Tashees, and leave the place to ourselves as entire masters and
owners of the whole cove and lands adjacent ; consequently we were
not confined merely to that spot but had full liberty to erect a house
in any other part of the cove, but chose the spot we did for the above
mentioned reason.
" Mr. Meares appointed Mr. Robert Funter to reside in the house,
which consisted of three chambers for the officers, and the proper
apartments for the men, and a mess-room. The said apartments
were elevated about five feet from the ground, and under these were
apartments for keeping our stores in. Exclusive of these were sheds
and outhouses for the convenience of the artificers to work in. On
Mr. Meares's departure the house was left in good condition, and he
enjoined Maquilla to take care of it until his return or any of his
associates on the coast again.
" It has been reported that on the arrival of Don Jose Estevan
Martinez in the cove, there was not the least vestige of the house
remaining. However that might be, I cannot say, as I was not at
Nootka at the time.
"On our return in July, 1789, in the said cove, we found it
occupied by the subjects of his Catholic Majesty. There was like-
wise some people belonging to the ship Columbia, commanded by Mr.
John Kendrick, under the flag and protection of the United States
of America, who had their tents and outhouses erected on the same
spot on which our house formerly stood, but I saw no remains of our
former architecture.
" We found lying in the cove, at anchor, his Catholic Majesty's
ships Princessa and Don Carlos ; likewise the ship Columbia and
sloop Washington ; and the second day after our arrival in the
Argonaut, we were captured by Don Jose Estevan Martinez. The
Americans were suffered to carry on their commerce unmolested.
" This is the best information I can give you that might tend to
elucidate the propriety of Mr. Meares taking possession of the village
of Nootka and Friendly Cove.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 57
"Should anyone doubt the truth of this protest, I am always
ready to attest it before any court of jurisdiction, or any peison duly
authorized to examine me.
" I have the honor to be, with the greatest esteem, etc.,
" (Signed) ROBT. DUFFIN.
"That the above was the identical truth, was sworn before me
this 21st September, 1792.
" (Signed) GEO. VANCOUVER."
COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED. — On behalf of Spain, Don Manuel de la
Heras was appointed a commissioner to determine the amount of
losses to be paid to British subjects as compensation for their losses
caused by the seizure of their vessels, etc., in 1789. Mr. Rudolph
Woodford was appointed on behalf of Great Britain. They met at
Whitehall, London, and agreed that the sum of two hundred and ten
thousand dollars in coin, should be paid by Spain in full of all claims.
The agreement was signed on the 12th of February, 1793. Bancroft,
in his history of the North-West Coast, states it was ratified the
same day by the British monarch. He adds sneeringly : " Presum-
ably the money was paid without delay, greatly to the satisfaction of
Meares and his associates, who if they got half the amount named,
though their original claim had been six hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, had every reason to be content."
BANCROFT'S BIAS. — The historian just quoted, when dealing with
British affairs, displays a marked bias and anti-British feeling. A
similar spirit appears to have existed amongst the fur traders from
Boston, 011 their arrival at the west coast. They seemed ready to
enter into league with Martinez, who accommodatingly gave them
supplies from the British ships he had seized ; and from their sea-otter
skins he deducted 30 per cent., for freight after appropriating a dozen
of the best skins for his own use. The folio wing paragraphs from the
same author are rather suggestive :
BOSTON TRADERS VERY FRIENDLY WITH THE SPANIARDS. — "The
Columbia arrived the day after Meares's departure, and the Americans,
eager to get rid of their rivals in trade, gladly aided in the prepara-
tions for departure. The house on shore, if we may credit Gray and
Ingraham, was demolished, part of the material being put on board
the English vessels, and the rest given to Captain Kendrick. Cap-
tain Kendrick's vessel wintered at Nootka. . . . Just outside
the entrance of the sound, Martinez met Gray, of the Washington,
and in a friendly interview made many inquiries about the vessels
within, and announced his intention of capturing the English craft.
. . . Martinez went up the sound to spend a few days with
58 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Kendrick. . . . The Englishmen suspected that Kendrick had
instigated the seizure ; and I have little doubt that he did so, at least
to the extent of putting the Iphigenias peculiar papers in their worst
light, and encouraging the Spaniards' worst suspicions. .
THEY WERE NOT INTERFERED WITH. — " It has already been
noticed that throughout this whole affair relations between the
Spaniards and Americans were so friendly as to suggest a secret
understanding. There was not the slightest interference with the
Columbia, or Washington, though Martinez could hardly have been
unaware of the orders issued in Mexico for the seizure of those very
vessels, if they should enter a Spanish port. It was afterwards
stated that the Columbia was detained until some doubtful expressions
in her papers had been explained, but there is no evidence that such
was the case. Martinez's interview with Gray and visit to Kendrick
just before the seizure of the Iphigenia, as I have said, caused Cap-
tain Douglas to suspect, very naturally, that the Americans had
instigated the act, though Captain Kendrick denied it. Subsequently
a close intimacy continued ; interviews were frequent ; American
officers were companions and witnesses for the Spaniards in all their
transactions with the English ; Mr. Coolidge took charge of one of
the prizes for a trading cruise, presumably on joint account. Captain
Gray willingly carried the captive men and stores to China ; the
Americans became later most friendly witnesses in defence of Mar-
tinez's acts. It by no means follows, however, that the Americans
took any dishonorable advantage of the quarrel. Their own interests
and duty to their owners required them to get rid of rival traders
and to secure Spanish protection for their own enterprise : legally,
the Spaniards were prima facie in the right, and their opponents in
the wrong ; and I know of no reason why, under the circumstances,
sympathy should have been contrary to interest. Individually, and in
the disposition of property, there may have been instances of dishonor-
able action on the part of both Americans and Spanish ; Vmt the
testimony is not sufficient for a conclusion on that point."
ELISA SUCCEEDED MARTINEZ. — Nootka, after the recall of Martinez
in 1791, was placed in charge of Commander Elisa, who had a fort
built and the old fortification restored. When Captain Kendrick
returned from his trip to China he landed in the north at Barrel
Sound, Queen Charlotte Island. There he had a skirmish with the
natives. He repulsed them, killing a large number and carrying
away their furs. Coming south to Nootka he appears to have
fallen into disrepute with the new commander, as after reaching his
old anchorage some distance along the cove beyond the fort, he was
ordered not to trade or anchor in Spanish ports. He obeyed and
left next morning, by the northern passage, with his cargo of eight
hundred sea-otter skins, preferring not to risk a second exposure to
the guns of the fort.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 59
KEXDRICK PURCHASES LANDS. — He proceeded to Clayoquot where
he procured an additional number of skins, and is said to have
purchased large tracts of land in the Nootka region from the chiefs
Maquinna and Wicananish. Bancroft, in a foot-note of considerable
length, gives a list of the deeds. The areas of land embraced in them
were estimated to include about 240 square miles (153,600 acres).
Those purchases or grants from the natives were never realized or
acted upon, although as late as 1840 the subject was revived and
brought before Congress, but without any satisfactory results to the
heirs of Kendrick.
SURVEYS OF 1793. — After spending the winter at the Sandwich
Islands as he proposed, Vancouver returned to Nootka in the spring
of 1793. He only remained there three days. The Chatham was
then commanded by Peter Puget, who was promoted from the third
lieutenancy of the Discovery to nil the vacancy caused by Captain
Broughton's absence as special envoy to London. No despatches
having arrived for Vancouver, he proceeded on a northern cruise to
continue his survey along the mainland, from where it had been
discontinued the former season. The Spanish occupants at Nootka
had passed the winter in erecting a small fort on Hog Island, on
which they mounted eleven guns — 9-pounders. An earthquake is
recorded to have taken place there on the 17th of February. In
May, Fidelgo was succeeded in his command by Alferez Ramon
Saavedra, who arrived from Sari Bias in the San Carlos, whicli
replaced the Princessa.
THE FUR TRADE ALONG THE COAST does not appear to have been
as brisk in 1793 as in 1792. Several British vessels, however, were
seen by Vancouver during his summer's survey. The islands and the
wonderful inlets and canals of the mainland were carefully surveyed.
A complete chart of these islands and of the east side of Queen
Charlotte Island was made, and as the Discovery and Chatham
returned south by the west or outside of the island, Captain
Vancouver had an opportunity of taking correct bearings. He
arrived at Nootka on the 5th of October, and was received by Senor
Saavedra, in charge of the port, with usual ceremonies and salutes.
As no despatches had arrived from England for him, after three days
he sailed for Monterey, en route to the Sandwich Islands to winter
there.
60
HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
CHAPTEE VI.
MACKENZIE'S OVERLAND JOURNEY.
ANOTHER GREAT EXPLORER. — Whilst Vancouver was engaged in
making his survey northward from Queen Charlotte Sound, another
explorer was making his way from the east overland to the Pacific
coast. This was ALEXANDER MACKENZIE, a
native of Stornoway, Scotland, who emigrated
to Canada about the year 1779. On his
arrival in Montreal, he entered the service of
Mr. Gregory, an extensive fur dealer. In
this employment he continued for five years,
and afterwards for a short time carried on
business on his own account. When the
North-West Fur Company was formed, he
became one of the partners. After much
experience and successful dealing with the
natives, we find him, in 1789, at Fort Chipe-
weyan, on Lake Athabasca or Lake of the
Hills, near the north-eastern limit of the Rocky Mountains. This
fort was then the principal western trading-post belonging to the
Company.
His PERSONAL APPEARANCE. — Mackenzie is described as being
possessed of a vigorous mind and a fine physique. In form, he was of
medium stature and of square, muscular build, very strong, lithe and
active, and capable of enduring great fatigue. His features were
regular, eyes bright and searching, nose and mouth Grecian,
and his forehead high, intellectual and crowned with dark, wavy
hair. Firmness and weight marked the man in every attitude and
expression. Lips, chin and facial illumination, all implied the
possession of a will which would never rest satisfied until its purposes
were accomplished. In thought, he was as refined and noble as
in outward expression he was dignified. His energy was mild ;
not of the impatient, fretful order, and therefore well suited to his
self-imposed task. His large, gentle eyes imparted to his decisive
ALEXANM)ER MACKENZIE.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 61
features a suavity of expression of the utmost importance to him in
dealing not only with his own men, who were sometimes inclined to
be mutinous, but also with affrighted savages, who in him beheld the
first white man they had ever seen.
His QUALIFICATIONS AND ENTERPRISE. — Such a noble character,
doubtless, was Alexander Mackenzie. His was a mind bent on
enterprise, and filled with zeal for the benefit of his partners in trade
and with a desire for the well-being of mankind in general. He
knew the extent of the great Saskatchewan River and its outlets
through Lake Winnipeg and the Nelson River in Hudson Bay ; and
he determined to know all that could be known of the great river of
the north, which, flowing out of Great Slave Lake, connected with
Athabasca Lake and Peace River. He resolved to explore its length
as far as practicable. It might be that his efforts would be the
means of solving the problem of a northern water communication
between the Pa9ific and Atlantic Oceans. He weighed the matter
thoroughly, and with the consent of his partners formed an expedition
in 1789, consisting of four Canadians, two of whom were accom-
panied by their wives, and a German. An Indian and his two wives,
in a small canoe, formed part of the expedition, also two young
Indians in another small canoe. Those men were engaged to serve
in the twofold capacity of interpreters and hunters.
EXPLORED MACKENZIE RIVER. — Leaving Fort Chipeweyan, on the
south side of Athabasca, or the Lake of the Hills, he crossed that
lake with his party, and joining Peace River at Salt Springs, followed
the river to Great Slave Lake. Crossing that lake diagonally to the
west corner, he debouched into the great river of the north and
followed it to its outlets in the Arctic, or Frozen Ocean. The party
were obliged to put up with considerable hardships during the trip,
which, including the return, occupied one hundred and two days, but
without any loss of life or any serious difficulty with the natives.
After the expedition had gone but a short distance north, they met
tribes, though not numerous, who had never seen a white man
before. The river which Mackenzie had explored he named after
himself, " Mackenzie River," a name which it still bears. From
what he had seen in his journey to the Arctic Ocean, it was evident,
he concluded, that no navigable water channel could exist between
the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans farther north than the outlet of
Mackenzie River in the Arctic Ocean ; he therefore resolved to find
a route westward across the Continent direct to the Pacific, by way
62 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
of Peace River as far as the watershed or height of land which
formed the head waters of that river.
HE CONSULTED HIS PARTNERS. — In Montreal, shortly afterwards,
he consulted his partners, and pointed out to them the advantages
which must follow by the extension of their trade westward to the
Pacific. He proposed to visit London to ascertain from the reports
of the latest discoveries by Captains Cook, Meares, and others, the
corresponding latitude and longitude with Fort Chipeweyan and
Peace River ; and by studying astronomy and navigation, he could
so shape his course and record his journeys and location that
permanent advantages would be secured. They approved of his
proposition and he proceeded to London, where he was well received
and afforded every opportunity to obtain the required information
and instruction. Being an apt student, he was not very long in
acquiring the knowledge of which he was in quest.
THE WESTERN JOURNEY. — In 1792, we find Mr. Mackenzie,
returned from England, after having crossed and recrossed the
Atlantic and the eastern portion of the Continent of America, again
at Fort Chipeweyan and prepared to embark on his proposed western
journey over the unknown portion of the North American continent.
On the 10th of October he left Fort Chipeweyan and proceeded again
northerly across Lake Athabasca to Peace River. This time he
turned westward up stream, with the intention, before the frost set
in, of reaching the most westerly of the trading establishments which
then occupied Peace River — they extended along the river a distance
of about two hundred miles. He intended to winter there and prepare
for a start as soon as spring would open. This he accomplished,
arriving at New Establishment Post on the 20th of October.
THE WINTERING PLACE. — By the 1st of November lie reached the
proposed wintering place at Fort Fork, a short distance west of
where the east branch of Peace River joins the main river. To this
point Mackenzie had sent forward two men early in the season,
to clear the ground and prepare square timber for buildings and
palisades for an enclosure. Tents were used by Mr. Mackenzie and
party until the buildings were completed, which they were not until
the 23rd of December. The cold by that time was intense. Food
and firewood, however, were in abundance, so time wore the winter
away not unpleasantly. No sooner was the river clear of ice in the
spring, than Mr. Mackenzie records he " closed the year's business by
writing up his accounts, and despatching six fur-laden canoes to Fort
Chipeweyan."
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 6^
ALEXANDER MACKAY, OF RKAY. — All things being in readiness, on
the 9th of May, 1793, Mackenzie and his party embarked in one
canoe, which is described as being " twenty-five feet long, with four
and three-quarters feet beam and twenty-six inches hold." This
small vessel was all that was provided to carry the whole party,
numbering ten persons, " with all their equipage, arms, ammunition,
provisions, goods for presents, and baggage, in weight not less than
three thousand pounds, yet was so slight that two men could easily
carry her three or four miles without stopping to rest." The principal
man of the expedition, next to the leader, was Alexander Mackay, a
native of Reay, Sutherland shire, Scotland. This young man was an
expert boatman and hunter, and shared the responsibility throughout
with Mackenzie. He divided keeping night watches with his leader,
when amongst natives who could not safely be relied on.
DIFFICULT NAVIGATION. — During the first nine or ten days, navi-
gation, although against a strong current, was comparatively easy.
On the north-western bank of the stream vast herds of elk were
feeding and great numbers of buffalo, with their young frisking
around them. Mackenzie, describing the country, says : " This
magnificent theatre of nature had all the decorations which the trees
and animals of the country can afford, and displayed an exuberant
verdure. Trees which bear blossom were advancing fast to that
delightful appearance, and the velvet rind of their branches reflecting
the oblique rays of a rising or setting sun, added a splendid gaiety to
the scene." As the current increased it was necessary to use
propelling poles more than paddles. Rapids and cascades now
became frequent, and sharp rocks threatened destruction to the
canoe. On both sides of the river the banks were more steep. A
band of Rocky Mountain Indian hunters were met at this point.
They seemed distressed at parting with their two friends, who went
as interpreters along with the expedition. Mackenzie assured them
that in three moons they would return to them. As the party
proceeded, the route became more difficult. Their boat in some
places had to be pulled up by the men laying hold of the overhanging
branches, in other places by pulling on ropes fastened to trees ;
sometimes trees had to be cut down to afford a footing along the
bank of the river.
HEAD WATERS OF PEACE RIVER. — Not far from the head waters
of Peace River, the expedition encountered a band of Rocky
Mountain Indians who fled at the approach of the white men. They
64 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
returned, however, when assured by the interpreters that the party
were friendly. With great persuasion and not a few presents, one
of the natives consented to accompany the party as guide, as he
appeared to have some knowledge of the rivers and country beyond
the height of land which they were now approaching. Proceeding
slowly and toilsomely, they came to a lake two miles in length, at
the upper end of which they landed and unloaded. This was the
12th of June, 1793. Mackenzie, in his journal, says : " This I con-
sider as the highest and southernmost source of the TJnjigah or Peace
River, latitude 54° 24' north, longitude 121° west of Greenwich,
which, after a winding course through a vast extent of country,
receiving many large rivers in its progress and passing through Slave
Lake, empties itself into the Frozen Ocean in 70° north latitude and
about 135° west longitude." This point might with propriety be
called the source of the Mackenzie River, as he had explored both
rivers from their sources to outlets.
LAKES AND PORTAGES. — A portage over a low ridge of land, along
a beaten path for eight hundred and seventeen paces, had now to
be made. Another small lake was then reached, on which they
embarked. Thence they entered Bad River, from which, on account
of its shallowness and rocky bottom, they were obliged to land,
unload and encamp. They now had begun to navigate down stream,
which is far more dangerous in canoe navigation than ascending
unknown streams on which are frequent rapids and cascades. A
road had to be cut to portage around the rapid. On launching
again, the swift current caught the canoe and drove it broadside
upon a bar. All hands jumped into the icy cold stream, which
so lightened the canoe as to enable it to clear the bar. The
men, clinging to the craft, jumped in as they best could. Before
they were fairly seated they were driven against a rock, which
shattered the stern and threw the boat to the opposite shore,
breaking the bow in pieces. The foreman caught some overhanging
branches, but was jerked out of the boat in an instant and swung
on shore. In another moment they were in the midst of a cascade,
the rocks breaking through the bottom of the canoe, which now filled
with water.
NARROW ESCAPE. — Fortunately an eddy caught the boat, bringing
it into shallow water. There it struck a rock, on which it remained
until unloaded of such effects as were not swept away by the water.
The powder in the boat fortunately escaped damage. Mackenzie
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 05
stood in the water, holding the boat in position until the stuff was
unloaded. It was then dragged ashore in a very bad state and was.
repaired next day. Another road had to be cut to the foot of the
rapids and across a swampy piece of ground, making a portage as
direct as possible to the great river which was not very far distant.
The expedition in this part of the journey only progressed at the rate
of two or three miles a day. The Indian guide, seeing those difficulties,
became disheartened and deserted.
SUPPOSED HE HAD REACHED COLUMBIA RIVER. — The banks of the
great river were at last reached. The explorer imagined he had
reached the great Columbia River, which he had heard of when in
England. The mistake was natural for him to make. The course
and outlet of the river was not explored until 1806-8, when Simon
Fraser followed its course to the outlet, and gave it the name Fraser
River. Mackenzie found the great river was taking him too far south
for the latitude in which he wished to reach the Pacific Ocean. On?
the 21st of June, Mackenzie records in his journal that being " very
sensible of the difficulty of procuring provisions in this country, he
thought it prudent to guard against any possibility of distress of that
kind on our return. He, therefore, ordered ninety pounds weight of
pemmican to be buried in a hole sufficiently deep to admit of a fire
being built over it without doing any injury to the hidden treasure,
and which would at the same time secure it from the natives of the
country, or the wild animals of the woods."
MET ARMED NATIVES. — Mackenzie's progress was now rapid, but
he found the river was carrying him farther south and easterly than
his desired latitude. He, therefore, after consultation with a tribe of
natives, concluded to return to a point near West Road River which
he had formerly passed during a fog. There he saw a canoe in which
was a single occupant. This individual gave a shrill whistle, which
immediately brought a crowd of other natives to the bank of the
river. They came armed, and with warlike antics and whoops
indicated that Mackenzie's boat should not land. He ordered his
boatman to turn and take a position on the bank opposite, the cur-
rent in the meantime carrying them past where the Indians had
assembled. Mackenzie then landed alone, and walked up the bank
displaying trinkets and beckoning for them to come over to him.
He had directed one of his hunters to land and slip into the woods,
carrying two guns with him, that in the event of an attack he would
be ready to assist.
5
66 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
PACIFIED THEM WITH TRINKETS.— Two natives in a canoe after
some time ventured to cross the stream, but stopped within' about a
hundred yards of Mackenzie. He, with a perfect knowledge of the
Indian character, beckoned them to approach, holding out towards
them beads and looking-glasses. Slowly and timidly the wild men
&hoved their canoe, stern foremost, toward the bank until within full
view of the alluring trinkets. Finally they gathered courage to land
and seat themselves beside the white man, at whom they gazed in
awe and admiration, astonished at the looking-glass. Mackenzie's
hunter now joined him, which startled the two savages somewhat ;
nevertheless their fears were soon quieted, and to the great joy of the
explorer he found that his hunter could converse with them. After
a short stay, during which the hunter did all in his power to win
their confidence, and declining an invitation to visit the white man's
canoe, the savages signified their desire to depart, which was cordially
permitted by their entertainer. Shooting their boat across the stream,
the two daring natives were received by their brethren as from the
jaws of death. After consulting for a quarter of an hour, the natives
invited the white men to visit them, an invitation which was promptly
accepted. Presents were distributed, and then Mackenzie set about
gathering information of the route westwards.
ALARMING INTELLIGENCE. — He was informed by the natives that
"the river was long, the current rapid and dangerous, in places indeed
impassable, rushing furiously between rugged rocks ; it ran towards
the midday sun, and at its mouth they had been told were white men
building houses. The people below were a malignant race, and lived
in subterranean dens. They had iron arms, and to go among them
was certain death." Thus they attempted to dissuade the strangers
from their purpose. But although this alarming intelligence was by
no means to be disregarded wholly as a fiction, yet it did not materially
change the explorer's plans. He requested an intelligent native to
draw a plan of the river, which was done with readiness and skill.
Next morning the explorer embarked accompanied by two of the
natives, and dropped down the river fourteen miles. On their way
they landed near a house, the roof of which only appeared above the
ground. The inhabitants fled at the approach of strangers, but
returned as soon as they understood that no harm was likely to
follow.
FIERCE AND FEROCIOUS-LOOKING SAVAGES. — Some distance farther,
natives were encountered more ferocious and fierce-looking than any
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 67
they had yet seen. Yet Mackenzie, with his great tact, soon made
them friendly. He found among them four strangers belonging to
the nation adjoining. One of those was an elderly man of prepossessing
appearance. To him Mackenzie, as was his custom, applied for
information respecting the country. The old man, taking a piece of
bark, drew a map with the river running to the east and south, with
many tributaries, dangerous rapids and impracticable carrying-places.
Their iron, brass and copper came from their neighbors to the west.
In that direction the distance was not far from the sea. If they
kept to the west between the mountains, the route is not difficult,
there being a well-beaten path, which they had often travelled, with
assisting links of lakes and rivers. There were three points of
departure — one where they then were (that is, near the Quesnell
River), one at West Road River, and one beyond that point.
MUTINY THREATENED. — Here was a quandary. Which course
should he pursue 1 Provisions and ammunition were becoming low,
and his men were on the point of mutiny. He made up his mind
that although he should not be able to return to Athabasca that
season; though he should never return; though he should be deserted
by his men and left to find the western sea alone — yet he would
find it. This was his resolve, and so he notified his men. It was
evident that the short, beaten path to the west was preferable and
less hazardous than the perilous river of unknown limits to the south.
He had passed the point where the proper overland route lay, and to
that point they must now return. One of the natives at the last
encampment promised to be their guide ; hence, the next day, the
23rd of June, the course of the party was changed to retrace their
route to West Road River.
A NEW CANOE REQUIRED. — The canoe had now become so dilapi-
dated that it was absolutely necessary to construct a new one. This
operation occupied from the 28th of June until the 1st of July. It
was now necessary to put the men on short allowance, which, with
the desertion of the guide, did not assist to restore their good humor.
The explorer's position was, therefore, an exceedingly critical one,
yet he did not recede in the least from his determination to proceed
westward. The men had shown a disposition to take the lead and
return to Athabasca ; they had even gone so far as to load the
canoe preparatory to embarking, without instructions from their chief
officer. It was high time for Mr. Mackenzie to place his deter-
mination squarely before them. He learned with some satisfaction
68 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
that they had not definitely fixed on any plan of return. He argued
the case calmly with them. He reminded them of the promises of
fidelity they had made. A modern writer paraphrasing this portion
of Mackenzie's journal says : "Pointing to the western path, he tells
them he is going to try it. His calm persistence wins. Though
beset with dangers and hardships, habit is too much for them, their
master is before them. Once more they promise their support. The
manifestation of moral power is apparent. Place things the right
way before men and they will die for their leader ; if he bungles,
peradventure they will make him die. Herein consists the difference
between born commanders, and men only fit to govern cattle."
HEAVY BAGGAGE LEFT BEHIND. — As it was concluded they must
now proceed on foot, it was necessary to leave behind everything
they could not carry ; therefore, it was considered prudent to hide
some provisions and such articles as were considered valuable. To
do this with safety Mackay and the Indians were sent on ahead.
In the first hiding-place, Mackenzie explains here, were placed a bag
of pemmican, two bags of wild rice, and a gallon keg of gunpowder.
In the second hiding-place were put two bags of Indian corn, or
maize, and a bale of different articles of merchandise rolled in oil-
cloth and dressed leather. Their friends were overtaken at " the
entrance of a small rivulet, where Mackay had agreed to wait. At
this place it was decided to leave the canoe. A stage was prepared,
qn which the canoe was placed bottom upwards and shaded by a
covering of small trees and branches to keep her from the sun. An
oblong hollow square was then built, ten feet by five, of green logs,
in which was placed every article necessary to be left, and the whole
covered with large pieces of timber."
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 69
CHAPTEK VII.
MACKENZIE'S JOURNEY WEST.— CONTINUED.
THEY TRAVEL ON FOOT. — At noon all was in readiness for a start
to enter the woods. The stuff to be carried consisted of four bags
and a half of pemmican, weighing from eighty-five to ninety pounds
each ; the case of astronomical instruments ; a parcel of goods for
presents, weight ninety pounds, and a parcel of ammunition of the
same weight. The Indians had about forty-five pounds weight of
pemmican to carry besides their gun, etc., with which they were very
much dissatisfied ; and, Mackenzie adds, " if they dared, they would
have instantly left us. They had hitherto been very much indulged,
but the moment was now arrived when indulgence was no longer
practicable." His own load, and that of Mr. Mackay, consisted of
twenty-two pounds of pemmican, some rice, a little sugar, etc.,
amounting in the whole to about seventy pounds each, besides their
arms and ammunition. Mackenzie says he had the tube of his
telescope swung across his shoulder, which was a troublesome
addition to his burden. It was determined that only two meals a
day should be eaten. This was " regulated without difficulty, as the
provisions did not require the ceremony of cooking."
TROUBLE WITH THE GUIDES. — The journey commenced by a steep
ascent of about a mile, along a well-beaten path. The country was
rugged and ridgy and full of wood. Twelve miles' march under rain,
which began early in the afternoon, brought them to an Indian
camp, where was their guide who had preceded them. The natives
were friendly and proposed to send two of their people on in advance
to notify and prepare the natives for Mackenzie's arrival. This was
agreed to, and some presents were given to the couriers that they
might be favorably prepossessed. Here were found two half-pence,
one of King George III. and the other of the State of Massachusetts,
coined in 1787. They had been hung as ornaments in children's ears,
and were exchanged for other coins by Mackenzie. During this
portion of the journey Mackenzie had much trouble with his guides,
who were exceedingly vacillating. To prevent one of them from
70 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
deserting, Mackenzie records he took one of them to sleep with him.
"The Indian's beaver robe, although a nest of vermin, was spread
under them — Mackenzie's camlet cloak was spread over them. His
companion's hair being greased with fish-oil, and his body smeared
with red earth, the sense of smelling, as well as that of feeling,
threatened to interrupt his rest ; notwithstanding these inconven-
iences, he yielded to his fatigue and passed the night in sound repose."
Mr. Mackenzie took the lead each day in the march, to clear the
branches of the wet which continued to hang on them, after the rain
had ceased.
REDUCED RATIONS — GREAT HARDSHIPS. — As this part of the
country was destitute of game, to provide for their return another
half-bag of pemmican was buried. The weather continued rainy,
which produced great discomfort from wet clothing. The party had
to cross several rivers ; some they waded, on others they used rafts.
On the 10th of July they reached several huts and friendly inhabi-
tants, who said the distance from the sea was from four to eight days.
They all declared they had been to the coast. This was cheering
news. Fearing provisions might not be sufficient, it became neces-
sary to diminish the consumption. The allowance to each was reduced
by one-third. This, although unwelcome news, was put into imme-
diate practice. It produced great dissatisfaction. The weather was
cold, when the sun was not shining, as snow-clad mountains were on
every side. The people proposed to return, but were prevailed upon
to proceed. Soon after starting in the morning, they arrived at a
house which was inhabited. Mackenzie pushed on ahead. As he
entered the house the man fled with all speed by a back door, leaving
the terrified women and children, who made a terrible outcry, expect-
ing they were to be massacred. They soon became pacified, and the
man eventually returned and acted in a friendly manner. From the
natives the party received a good supply of fish, which was a welcome
relish.
MODE OF SEPULTURE.—" A tomb was observed near to every resi-
dence. The grave was always kept clear of grass and weeds. The
guide explained that the people had two ways of disposing of their
dead. It was their practice to burn the bodies of their dead, except
the larger bones, which are rolled up in bark and suspended on poles
near the grave. Some tribes, he said, bury their dead. When
another member of the family dies, the remains of the person who
was last interred are taken from the grave and burned, so that the
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 71
members of a family are thus successively buried and burned to make
room for each other, and one tomb proves sufficient for a family
through succeeding generations."
A PREPOSSESSING PARTY. — Near this place, along the route they
overtook a party from the north going towards the sea-coast. Mac-
kenzie describes them as of pleasant aspect. The women's hair was
neatly parted in the middle, and being plaited, was tied in loose knots
over the ears. The men were clothed in leather, with their haiv
nicely combed. Their complexion was fairer, or perhaps it may be
said with more propriety that they were more cleanly than any of the
natives whom they had yet seen. Their eyes, though keen and sharp,
were not of that dark color so generally observable in the various
tribes of Indians • they were, on the contrary, of a grey hue, with a
tinge of red. There was one man amongst them at least six feet four
inches in height ; his manners were affable, and he had a more pre-
possessing appearance than any Indian yet met with on this journey.
He was about twenty-eight years of age, and was treated with parti-
cular respect by his party. Every man, woman and child carried a
proportionate share of the travelling baggage. In camp Mackenzie's
guide and one of the party amused themselves in a game of chance.
They each had a bundle of about fifty small sticks, of the size of a quill,
neatly polished, and about five inches long. A certain number of
these sticks had red lines around them. One of the players rolled up
a number in dry grass. According to the judgment of his antagonist
respecting their number and marks, he lost or won. On this occasion
the guide was the loser, as he had to part with his bow and arrows,
and with several articles he had formerly received from Mr. Mackenzie..
MACKENZIK SHAVES HIS BEARD. — Next morning the northern party
took a more southerly course. Mackenzie and his guide proceeded
westerly. A deer was shot, and a heartier meal made than for many
days previously. Mackenzie records that there he took off his beard
and changed his linen, and that his people followed "the humanizing
example." Towards night they reached a river, on the banks of
which there was an Indian village. The guide went ahead to prepare
the natives for the arrival and surprise. Mackenzie arrived before
the others, and was cordially received. He was invited to enter the
large house, the people in the smaller huts being engaged in cooking
fish. The large house was erected on posts at some distance from the
ground. A broad piece of timber with steps cut in it led to a plat-
form level with the floor. By this sort of ladder a door was reached
72 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
ut the end of the house. Three fires were burning on the floor at
«qual distances apart. The inmates were seated on a bench at the
upper end. Mackenzie having shaken hands all round, was offered
a mat to sit on. The rest of his party having arrived, another mat
was spread alongside for Mackay. The men were seated around and
regaled with roasted salmon — a whole salmon for each of the leaders,
Mackenzie and Mackay, and half a salmon to each of the rest of the
party The women had retired for the night behind a recess formed
of wide boards.
A HOSPITABLE CHIEF. — Although the chief had indicated that the
party might sleep inside the house, Mackenzie preferred to sleep
outside. Learning this, the chief had a fire built, and boards placed
on the ground. Soon a large dish of salmon roes, pounded tine and
beat up with water so as to have the appearance of cream, was
brought. A seasoning had been added which gave it a bitter taste.
Another dish soon followed, the principal ingredient of which was
also salmon roes, with a large proportion of gooseberries, and an herb
which appeared to be sorrel. This was more agreeable to the taste
than the former preparation. Mackenzie concludes this account by
stating that "having been regaled with these delicacies, for such they
were considered by that hospitable spirit which provided them, we
laid ourselves down to rest with no other canopy than the sky ; but I
never enjoyed a more refreshing rest, though I had a board for my
bed and a billet for my pillow."
AN INDIAN BREAKFAST. — At five o'clock next morning the Indians
had replenished the tire and were out sitting beside it. The chief
had brought roasted salmon and berries — gooseberries, whortleberries,
and raspberries, of very fine quality. Dried roes were also brought
to eat with the berries. Fish is the only sort of animal food of whicli
this tribe partakes. "Flesh," says Mackenzie, "they never taste.
One of their dogs which had picked up and swallowed part of a bone
remaining from the venison our party had left, was beaten by
his master till he disgorged it. A bone of the deer having been
thrown into the river, a native who had observed the circumstance
immediately dived and brought it up, and having consigned it to the
fire, instantly proceeded to wasli his polluted hands. A difficulty
occurred in procuring a canoe from the chief on account of our having
venison along, which he explained the fish would smell and abandon
the river, so that he, his friends and relations would starve. The
venison \vas given to some flesh-eating strangers present, and two
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 73
canoes procured which brought the party to the next village before
evening."
A FISH TRAP — HUGGING. — On the way down they passed a fish-
weir of elaborate construction. Mackenzie was surrounded by the
natives on his arrival with every mark of friendship. An elderly
man broke through the crowd and took Mackenzie in his arms. He
was turned away by another man without any ceremony, who
went through the same hugging performance. These embraces,
although rather surprising, were their way of expressing regard and
friendship. Space was opened to allow a young man to approach.
On being offered Mackenzie's hand, he broke the string of a handsome
robe of sea-otter skin which lie had on and placed it on Mackenzie,
who considered it the most flattering gift which could be made, as it
came from the chief's son. The party were next conducted to the
house, where a feast of salmon and oil was prepared. A portion of
the inner rind of hemlock bark mixed with salmon oil, saved whilst
the salmon is being baked, was supplied as a very great delicacy.
This feast and reception lasted three hours. The young chief was
presented with a blanket in return for the robe. A lodge was erected
for the reception of the party during the night. Abundance of
salmon were caught at the foot of the weir, with dipping-nets. A
pair of scissors, amongst other articles, were given to the chief, who
immediately began to crop his beard, which was of considerable
length.
A GREAT FEAST AND HOSPITALITY. — The village buildings were
visited, and are described at length in Mackenzie's journal He esti-
mated the number of inhabitants at two hundred. He describes their
mode of preserving salmon as follows : "Before the door of the chiefs
residence were four heaps of salmon, each of which contained
between three and four hundred fish. Sixteen women were employed
in cleaning and preparing them. They first separate the head from
the body, the former of which they boil ; they then cut the latter
down the back on each side of the bone, leaving one-third of the fish
adhering to it, and taking out the entrails. The bone is roasted for
immediate use, and the other parts are dressed in the same manner,
but with more attention, for future provision. While the roasting is
proceeding before the fire, troughs are placed under to receive the
oil. The roes are also preserved." In his journal Mackenzie also
remarks : " Soon after I retired to rest last night, the chief paid me
a visit to insist on my going to his bed-companion and taking my
74 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
place himself ; but notwithstanding his repeated entreaties, I resisted
this offer of the height of hospitality."
SEVERAL VILLAGES AND HOUSES PASSED. — The voyage was continued
next day, accompanied by four of the natives in a large canoe. A short
call was made at a house occupied by parties of some importance. A
repast was provided. The stay was made as short as possible. In a
very short time the rapidity of the current carried the canoe to
another large house. The natives received the party kindly, but did
not offer any refreshments. They were all actively employed at
various branches of industry — beating the inner rind of cedar bark to .
a fine fibre, spinning, weaving, and the men fishing. Proceeding
onwards they came to a cascade, and afterwards to a large fall, above
which the canoe was left. The luggage was carried along a road for
a hundred yards to a village, consisting of six large houses erected on
posts twenty-five feet from the ground. From these houses Mackenzie
could perceive the termination of the river, and where it entered into
a narrow arm of the sea. They remained during the night in one of the
outhouses. From a note in the journal it appears that Mr. Johnstone,
one of Vancouver's officers, had been at those houses on the first of
June. It would have been a happy meeting if the two great explorers
(Vancouver and Mackenzie) had happened to arrive at the same time.
HE REACHES THE SHORE OF THE PACIFIC. — After some difficulty in
arranging with the natives for a canoe, a start was made for the goal,
which was reached by eight o'clock; and Mackenzie, on the 20th of
July, 1793, stood on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. The situation
was satisfactory, but not exhilarating. The tide was out. A strong
wind was blowing from the west. The swell was so high that they
could not proceed against it with the leaky canoe. They landed in a
small cove at the right side of the bay, and remained until morning.
One of the Indians greatly wishing to return was permitted to go,
as provisions were not in great abundance. The stock on hand was
only twenty pounds of pemmican, fifteen pounds of rice, and six
pounds of flour among ten half -starved men, with a leaky canoe on a
barbarous coast. The Indian was desired to inform his friends that
the party would return within three nights.
INSOLENT NATIVES. — At forty minutes past four, on the morning
of the 21st, it was low water. The tide had fallen fifteen feet from
from high water mark of previous night. Being anxious to obtain an
observation, Mackenzie left the mouth of the river (Bella Coola) at
6 a.m., steered W.S.W. for seven miles, had a view down a channel
THE FUR-TRADING~PERIOD. 75
which opened, trending to the S.S.W. twelve miles; this passage had
been named by Vancouver,Burke Channel. Keeping along the northerly
shore of King Island, a course was steered W.N.W. along Labouchere
Channel. They were met by three canoes with fifteen men in them.
One of the men was insolent, and informed Mackenzie that a large
canoe had lately been in the bay, and that one of them whom he
called Macubah (Vancouver) had fired on him and his friends, and
that Bensins (Johnstone) had struck him on the back with the flat
part of his sword. Seeing some sheds on shore, Mackenzie landed
there and found them to be ruins of a village. They were followed
to that spot by ten canoes, each of which contained from three to six
men.
TOOK REFUGE ox A ROCK. — For protection Mackenzie and party
took possession of a rock, where there was not space for more than
twice their number, and which could be defended to advantage in the
event of being attacked. The people in the first three canoes were
the most troublesome, but after doing their utmost to irritate they
went away, stealing a hat, handkerchief, and a few other articles.
He warned his people to be on their guard and to defend themselves
to the last if violence should be offered. About sunset the other
boats left. A fire was kindled, "and as for supper there was little of
that, for the whole daily allowance did not amount to what was
sufficient for a single meal." The natives did not return during the
night — a close watch, however, was kept two by two in turn. Next
day two canoes arrived having some pieces of raw seal's flesh. Hunger
compelled the men to purchase some at a high price. Mr. Mackay
lighted a bit of touchwood with a burning-glass, in the cover of his
tobacco box, which so surprised the natives that they exchanged
the best of their otter skins for it. An observation was taken at noon
which gave 52° 20' 48" N.
THE INSCRIPTION. — The party being very anxious to leave the
place, departed after having the following inscription in melted grease
and vermilion painted on the face of the rock at the foot of which
they slept the previous night : " ALEXANDER MACKENZIE, FROM
CANADA, BY LAND, THE TWENTY-SECOND OF JULY, ONE THOUSAND
SEVEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE."
THE RETURN COMMENCED— NEW DANGERS. — A landing was next
made at a cove north-east three miles, where they could not be easily
seen, and where they could only be attacked from the front. Having
completed his observations Mackenzie returned by the way he had
76 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
come, and arrived at the mouth of Bella Coola River early on the
morning of the 22nd. After a very light breakfast they walked
through the woods to the first village, carrying their baggage,
Mackenzie ahead. He met two men advancing, shouting and
flourishing daggers. Divining their purpose he at once threw down
his cloak and presented his gun towards them. Fortunately for him
they knew the effect of firearms, and instantly dropped their daggers.
.Several other natives soon joined them, and among them Mackenzie
recognized the man who had formerly been so troublesome, and who
now repeated the names "Macubah" and " Bensins." The crowd
then got so near that one of them contrived to get behind Mackenzie,
and grasped him in his arms. He soon disengaged himself, but could
not think how the native did not avail himself of the opportunity he
had of stabbing him with the dagger. They certainly might have
overpowered him, and although two or three of them might have been
killed, doubtless Mackenzie would have fallen at last. Had he fallen
the whole party would certainlv have been slaughtered, and as
Mackenzie moralizes, " not one would have returned to tell of the
horrid fate of his companions." As soon as Mackenzie's men
appeared out of the woods the natives fled.
MACKENZIE SHOWED A BOLD FRONT — RASCAL VILLAGE. — Recol-
lecting the articles which they had stolen, Mackenzie, now to show he
did not fear them, drew up his men, ordering them to prime their guns
afresh, and calling the young chief who then appeared, demanded that
all the articles previously purloined from them should be returned, and
a supply of fish as an indemnity. After explanation a reconciliation
took place, the articles were restored, and some fish handed over with
them. They also supplied poles for pushing up against the current,
and presented two salmon. Everything else received had been paid
for. Mackenzie took an observation of the place before he left. He
found it 52° 24' 43" N., and named it Rascal Village.
KIND TREATMENT AT FRIENDLY VILLAGE. — The progress up the
river was very slow. The men wished to take a course over the moun-
tains. To this Mackenzie objected, showing them the difficulty of
ascending the mountains, and the small amount of provisions left,
which two days would exhaust. He urged the folly of being alarmed
at the danger from the natives which might not exist, but with which
they could grapple. Toiling all day, they persevered, pulling the
canoe against the current frequently by overhanging branches. At
length arrived at a house, they were gratified to find their young
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 77
Indian coming with some natives to meet them. A strict watch was.
kept that night. Thus day after day they toiled up stream, generally
obtaining supplies of fish from the natives, as well as delicious berries
of various kinds. They passed many large cedar trees as they went
along. On the night of the 25th, the party camped beside the river,
keeping a watch, that the vacillating natives might not take advantage
of the night. Next morning they arrived safely at FRIENDLY VIL-
LAGE, where they had, on their westward journey, been so well received
and hospitably treated. The same kindness was repeated. Roasted
salmon was offered in abundance. The women were actively engaged
in boiling berries and salmon roe.
ARRANGED THEIR PACK-LOADS. — Leaving the village, all the men
accompanied them for nearly a mile. Soon after the natives returned
a halt was made to make a division of the fish which had been gener-
ously furnished. Each man was allotted about twenty pounds weight,
except Mackenzie and Mackay, who were content with a smaller
allowance. They had also a little flour and a small quantity of pem-
mican left. A fork of the river was reached shortly after noon, which
had to be forded. It was three feet deep, and rapid. The sick
Indian had not recovered sufficiently to wade across, and Mackenzie
carried him across on his back. They were now ascending the moun-
tains, by the same route followed in the outward journey. On the 28th
they reached the spot where they had slept on the 16th, and found
the buried pemmican in good condition. Continuing the route with
tine weather, they saw none of the natives. All the hidden provisions
were recovered. On the 4th of August the place was reached which
had been left a month before. The progress so far, although very
fatiguing, was gratifying. They at length reached their canoe, which
had been left at the Great River. It was found perfectly safe, nor
had any of the articles been disturbed. Here, Mackenzie says, they
pitched their tent, made a blazing fire, and he treated himself as well
as his people to a dram. They had not taken any spirits along with
them to the sea-coast. The canoe was sent with five men to procure^
the provisions and goods which had been hidden farther down the
river. These were all found intact.
ABUNDANCE OF SALMON. — Several parties of natives now arrived
from the upper and lower parts of the river. A number of beaver
robes were purchased. Knives were preferred in exchange. The
Indians who had charge of the goods and canoe which had been left
were rewarded with such presents as were most acceptable to them.
78 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
The run of salmon ascending the river was very large. "They were,"
says the journal, "driving up the current in such large shoals that
the water seemed, as it were, to be covered with the fins of them."
The water in the river had (August 7) risen at least a foot and a half
in the last twenty-four hours. A week of incessant toil and suffering
from cold and wet brought the party on the 16th to the carrying
place which leads to the first small lake on the height of land where
are the sources of the great rivers, the Peace River and the Fraser
River, which Mackenzie supposed was the Columbia. After portaging
the canoe and effects, they launched on the waters of Peace River and
glided down this in good spirits and with grateful hearts. They
came down stream in one day a distance which required seven days
to come up.. Afterwards several portages had to be made to avoid
heavy falls. Mackenzie and party arrived at Fort Chipeweyan on
the 24th of August, 1793, after an absence of eleven months.
DR. SANDFORD FLEMING'S OPINION. — One of the best living autho-
rities, Dr. Sandford Fleming, writing on this subject, says : " Every
page of Mackenzie's journal shows that his explorations were not
effected without constant toil and great privations. The discourage-
ments arising from the difficulties and dangers he experienced, and
they were incessant, had no influence on his cool determination and
dauntless spirit. The many tedious and weary days of physical labor
and mental strain, the gloomy and inclement nights to which he was
constantly exposed, were not, however, passed in vain. He gained
his great reward in the knowledge that lie had in the interests of his
country attained the object of his design. He had penetrated a vast
continent, for the most part in a condition of wild nature ; he had
overcome the obstacles imposed by rapid rivers previously unknown,
by rugged mountain ranges, by distance, by intervening forests, and
by the extremes of a variable climate. From time to time obstacles
presented themselves in the enmity of hostile native tribes, who had
never before looked upon the face of a white man ; but on the day he
arrived on the Pacific coast he had the unqualified satisfaction of
feeling that his undertakings had been crowned with complete success."
A LONG AGITATED QUESTION SETTLED. — His discoveries settled the
dubious point of a practical " north-west passage." He set at rest
this long agitated question with the disputes which had arisen regard-
ing it; he added new regions to the realm of British commerce, and
in doing so extended the boundaries of geographical science. He did
much more, although the full effect of all he had accomplished was
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 79
unknown to him. We can now, however, attribute to the enterprises
to which Mackenzie's discoveries led, that the territory became a
British province. Indeed it is problematical whether, in the absence
of his discoveries, any portion of that country would at present con-
stitute part of the Dominion of Canada.
THE SERVICES of this famous explorer were appreciated by his
sovereign, King George III., who bestowed on him the dignity of
knighthood. On July 20th, 1893, a public meeting of pioneers and
others was held at Victoria, in centennial commemoration of his
overland explorations to the Pacific coast. It was resolved that a
portrait of Sir Alexander Mackenzie should be painted and placed in
the new legislative buildings now in course of erection in Victoria,
the capital of British Columbia. A committee was appointed to
carry the resolution into effect. The portrait was completed without
delay.
The following particulars, fuller than hitherto published, have been
furnished the author by an old friend, the Rev. Dr. D. Masson, of
Edinburgh, who is a native of Ross-shire, in the north of Scotland,
and an enthusiastic student of archaeology and historic lore. He
wrote under date of May 4th, 1894, that he had just returned from
a visit to his aged mother in the " Black Isle of Ross," whose home,
he says, is barely five miles from Fortrose, where Sir Alexander
Mackenzie's last surviving son died a few weeks ago. There he met
Sir Alexander's grandson. For years the family have occupied the
old deanery of Fortrose, which for many generations belonged to Dr.
Masson's wife's family — the old Mathesons, of Bennetsfield. Young
Mackenzie showed the reverend doctor several relics of his grandfather.
The portrait of Sir Alexander, with many other tine portraits, still
adorns the wall of the old house.
Dr. Masson states that Sir Alexander Mackenzie was born in
Stornoway, Island of Lewis, and was connected with the old Mac-
kenzies, of Seaforth, from whom Stornoway, with the whole island
of which it is the capital, passed more than fifty years ago to its
present proprietors, the Mathesons of Achay and Ardross. The
doctor says: "The journal of Sir Alexander's great voyages is full of
peril and adventure ; is a record of brave work, indomitable
endurance, and ready, resourceful reliance, such as the annals of
very few nations, ancient or modern, can display. Unlike the
modern war correspondent, Sir Alexander did not 'write in pictures.'
He was a man of action, whose literary style is bare and unadorned.
80 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
He set down the stirring events of the day in his journal, with as
little thought of color and effect as if he were still sitting at his desk
in the Company's counting-house, calmly entering the details of
prices and peltries."
According to Dr. Masson, Mackenzie's journal was one of the
favorite books of the first Napoleon. He had it translated into
French, and a copy of the translation in three volumes was found in
his library at St. Helena. Through the courtesy of Sir Alexander's
grandson, the Doctor was enabled to examine these interesting
volumes, and also to read a most interesting manuscript, in autograph,
which throws new light on Napoleon's secret schemes in the various
adjustments and readjustments of his plan of campaign against Great
Britain. Whilst reading Sir Alexander Mackenzie's journal, he
conceived the idea of distracting the affairs of Britain by attacking
her in her Canadian possessions, not by a direct descent upon them,
but by a route which he expected would take England by surprise,
and indeed prove infallible. A key of this plan of invasion was to
be found in Sir Alexander's huge quarto, a copy of which was
procured in France " through the smugglers," and translated into
French for the use of Napoleon's right hand tactician. This was
Bernadotte, father of the king of Sweden, who himself told the story
at Stockholm to a near descendant of Sir Alexander's family. The
documentary evidence of this curious bit of missing history the
Doctor carefully examined. A full copy of it will be found in the
appendix to " Ballantyne's Pioneers," published in 1888, by James
Nisbet & Co., London.
Referring further to this brave Scottish Highlander and heroic
explorer, Dr. Masson states that "Mackenzie was for a time the
travelling companion in America of the Duke of Kent, the father of
our Empress-queen. In acknowledgment of his brave exploits and
great public services he was honored with knighthood at a time when
knighthood was not so common a thing as it has come to be in our
own day. Returning to Scotland," the Doctor continues, " he
married one of the most beautiful women I ever saw — the heiress of
the Mackenzies of Avoch. As a Highland proprietor and country
gentleman he was eminently enterprising and popular. It looked as
if he would leave his mark upon the Highlands as a great agricultural
improver. But on March 12th, 1820, his eventful, illustrious and
most useful life was suddenly closed. When returning from London
by postchaise he was, at Moulin (the modern summer resort of
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 81
Pitlochry), suddenly seized with an internal inflammation, which
speedily culminated in death. His remains lie in the old churchyard
at Avoch, beside those of his gifted and beautiful wife, Lady
Geddes Mackenzie, who survived him until 1860."
A Scottish newspaper, in an obituary notice of the death of Sir
Alexander's son, says : " On Wednesday night (28th March, 1894),
another link of the past was broken by the death of Mr. A. G.
Mackenzie, of Avoch. The old laird, as he was affectionately and
respectfully called, was a very great favorite in the district, where he
had endeared himself by many acts of kindness, not only during his
residence for the past few years, but on the former occasion in which
he lived at Avoch House. Mr. Mackenzie was the elder son of the
well-known American explorer, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, of Avoch,
and to whom belonged the honor of discovering the great Mackenzie
River in 1789, the river being appropriately named after its famous
discoverer. Mr. Mackenzie was born in 1818, and had thus
considerably gone beyond the allotted threescore years and ten.
He is survived by three sons and two daughters."
CHAPTEK VIII.
VANCOUVER'S EXPLORATIONS, ETC.— CONTINUED.
His VOYAGE NORTH. — Returning to his proceedings in 1794, we
find that Captain Vancouver, after spending the winter at the Sand-
wich Islands, proceeded north direct to the Alaskan coast to thoroughly
examine those portions of the mainland southwards which had not
formerly been surveyed by him. This occupied the whole season.
He was enabled to report conclusively that no navigable channel
intersected the continent south of the latitudes which had been
explored by Captain Cook and himself, and that the conjectured
hyperborean ocean did not exist. He returned to Nootka in Septem-
ber, where he remained repairing his vessels until October. During
that time he enjoyed the companionship of the Spanish commander,
Alva, and exchanged hospitalities with him. They together paid a
visit to Chief Maquinna, who prepared a great feast for them.
82 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
RETURN TO ENGLAND. — No despatches having arrived from England
or the Continent of Europe, both commanders, at nearly the same
•date, left Nootka for Monterey, where despatches would first arrive
by the overland route. It was understood there that no alteration
would be made from the wording of the first article of the Convention
of 1790. Vancouver, therefore, proceeded to England via Cape Horn.
He reached his destination in October, 1795, his mission having been
highly successful ; and he had the satisfaction of reporting that during
"the long absence of four years and nine months, the Discovery had
only lost one man by disease out of the complement of one hundred
men, and that the Chatham had not lost one man either by illness or
accident.
A GOOD REPORT OF THE NATIVES. — He also could report that in
his extensive dealings with the Indians along many hundred miles of
the coast, he was not under the necessity of using harsh measures
•with them. His principles were based on humanity and justice.
The same may be said of other British explorers, who combined trade
•with geographical discoveries, as did Meares, Portlock, Dixon and
Broughton, who had been trained and disciplined officers in the
British navy, and were qualified to control the conduct of their sub-
ordinates. Not so were many of the other adventurers, who were of
the Kendrick stamp and ready to take undue advantage of the
unsophisticated natives. This was felt by Vancouver, as the natives
began to discover how they had been treated by unscrupulous traders.
When on the northern coast in 1794, before leaving for Nootka, he
remarks that he was just in time for the accomplishment of the
arduous and hazardous task in which they had been so long engaged.
The very unjustifiable conduct of the traders had so encouraged and
provoked acts of hostility, that even the means he possessed to repel
their attacks would in all probability have been insufficient, had it
been their lot to have been obliged to try the experiment one year
later.
His DEATH IN MAY, 1798. — Soon after Vancouver's return to
England, he was promoted to the rank of post-captain, which is next
to that of rear admiral, and generally secured some lucrative
-appointment. Unfortunately, however, his health failed before the
work he had prepared, which gave an account of his voyage, had been
published. This was attended to by his brother. He died near
Petersham on the Thames, about twenty miles west of London, in
May, 1798, at the early age of forty years. He was buried in the
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. XX
cemetery of the ancient church of Petersham. The Hudson Bay
Company, in 1841, placed in the old church a handsome tablet, which
is an enduring and graceful tribute to the memory of Vancouver. A
fac simile of the tablet and a sketch of the church were made by
Mrs. Beeton, wife of the agent-general for British Columbia in
London, and appeared in the Illustrated London News of 3rd Decem-
ber, 1892. A copy of Vancouver's portrait, from an oil painting in
the National Gallery, London, was presented by Mr. Beeton to the
Board of Trade in Victoria, from which the portrait in this work was
photographed. Captain Vancouver named Lynn Canal, on the
north-west coast (now Alaska), after Lynn, his birthplace, Norfolk,
England.
THE NOOTKA DIFFICULTY SETTLKD. — On the llth of January, 1794,
the Nootka difficulty was definitely settled at a convention held at
Madrid. The agreement was signed by the British and Spanish
ministers, St. Helens and the Duke of Alcudia. It was to the effect
that commissioners should meet, as soon as possible, on or near the
spot where stood the buildings formerly occupied by British subjects,
and there to exchange declaration and counter-declaration as literally
prescribed in the document, which provided that the preliminaries
having been complied with, the "British officer shall unfurl the
British flag over the land thus restored, as a sign of possession, and
after these formalities the officers of the two crowns shall retire
respectively to their people from the said port of Nootka."
COMMISSIONERS FOR SPAIN AND BRITAIN. — The commissioners ap-
pointed to carry into effect the agreement between Spain and Britain
in 1794, were Lieutenant Cosme Bertodano, on behalf of Spain, and
Lieutenant Thomas Pierce, of the Marines, on behalf of Britain.
They sailed from Monterey, with Brigadier-General Alva aboard the
Activa, for Nootka, on the 22nd of March, 1795. Lieutenant Pierce
reports to his superior officer as follows : " In obedience to your
instructions I proceeded from Monterey to Nootka in company with
Brigadier-General Alva, the officer appointed on the part of the Court
of Spain, for finally terminating the negotiations relative to that port ;
where, having satisfied myself respecting the state of the country at
the time of the arrival of the Spaniards, preparations were imme-
diately made for dismantling the fort which the Spaniards had erected
on an island that guarded the mouth of the harbor, and embarking
the ordnance. By the morning of the 28th, all the artillery were
embarked, part on board of his Catholic Majesty's ship Activa^ and
84 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
part on board of the San Carlos guard ship. Brigadier-General Alva
and myself then met, agreeably to our instructions, on the place
where formerly the British buildings stood, where we signed and
exchanged the declaration and counter-declaration for restoring those
lands to his Majesty, as agreed upon between the two Courts, after
which ceremony I ordered the British flag to be hoisted in token of
possession, and the General gave orders for the troops to embark."
Before next year Maquinna and his subjects had transferred their
village to the site of the abandoned Spanish post. No settlement of
white men has since been made at Nootka.
THE BRITISH FLAG. — This simple act of restoration by hoisting the
British flag at Nootka, as mentioned, completed one of the greatest
victories, although bloodless, which has ever been won by Great
Britain. Spain, by it, gave up all her exclusive and arrogant claims
to the north-western part of tne Continent of America. From the
tenor of the elaborate memorial from the Court of Spain to the
Convention of 1790, it is plain that then she had no intention of
abandoning these claims.
CONFLICTS WITH COLONISTS. — This was a critical period in the
history of the North American continent. Great Britain had been
engaged in seven bitter conflicts with France and her own colonists
on the Atlantic coasts. The latter had withdrawn her forces and
garrison from the citadel of Quebec and ceded Canada to the British.
The colonists had formed themselves into an independent government
which styled themselves " The United States of America ; " so that
the whole of the continent, north of Mexico, with the small strip of
coast claimed by Russia, was then in possession of Great Britain and
her seceded colonists. To define and settle the boundaries which
should belong to each required time and deliberation. No inland
settlements of white population had as yet been made. The whole of
the unexplored region north of California was termed Oregon.
OBJECTIONABLE CONDUCT OF TRADERS. — Along the whole coast of
the Pacific, north of the settlements of the Spaniards, which did not
reach beyond San Francisco, fur traders were now at liberty to carry
on their traffic in any way they considered most profitable. The
good examples hitherto shown, and the humane treatment of the
natives by Captains Cook, Meares, Vancouver, and other early
British explorers, were neither followed nor practised by subsequent
dealers. As the coast became better known, and without any
restraining influence, those traders rushed from cove to village, taking
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 85
every advantage of the unsophisticated natives to obtain the coveted
furs. Intoxicating liquor of the vilest sort was freely introduced.
Demoralization and disease followed. The cupidity, greed of gratifi-
cation and recklessness of the Indians induced them to capture, in
season and out of season, the valuable sea-otters, which, notwith-
standing their great numbers, before long showed the effect of
incessant and indiscriminate hunting. Other evils followed. The
natives, finding themselves over-reached in trade, and often ill-used,
became suspicious and revengeful. Their plan of redress generally
was to inflict punishment on the first party who came to hand,
whether they were the offenders or not.
THE SEA-OTTER TRADE. — Chief Maquinna still retained the reins
of power at Nootka. There is little to be said concerning the year
1796. The sea-otter trade was continued, chiefly northward. Captain
Broughton, who formerly was with Captain Vancouver, arrived at
Nootka during the summer. On his way from the Sandwich Islands
he made a few surveys on the Asiatic coast, and completed certain
work north of Queen Charlotte Islands. He remained, making
repairs, two months at ISTootka and neighborhood ; also visiting the
Straits of Fuca and Neah Bay. During 1797 and 1798, the vessels
which arrived on the north-west coast were chiefly from Boston.
Two years were generally required by them to complete their trips.
Richard J. Cleveland, in a vessel from Massachusetts, obtained a
very large quantity of prime sea-otter skins, in 1797, from Queen
Charlotte Islands.
GREAT PROFITS. — The number of sea-otter skins from the north-
wetet coast sold in China, in 1785, '6, '7, not including those secured
by Meares's operations, is stated to have been 5,800, value $160,700.
From 1799 to 1802 inclusive, the numbers for each of those years
respectively are given at 11,000, 9,500, 14,000, and 14,000, or a total
of 48,500, which, at an average of $30 per skin, amounts to nearly
one and a half million dollars. Frequently the profits were enormous.
A celebrated trader, named Sturgis, states that he had personally
collected 6,000 skins in a single voyage, and that he once purchased
560, of prime quality, in half a day. In 1801, which was the most
flourishing period of the trade, fifteen United States vessels were
engaged trading on the west coast, but only one British. During this
year the United States vessels brought 18,000 skins to China. In
succeeding years the catch became smaller and smaller until the year
880, when the trade was centred in San Francisco. The average
86 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
catch then was 5,500 per annum, which at an average price of
per skin, would equal $440,000.
PARTICULARS RESPECTING SEA-OTTERS. — Captain William Sturgis,
of Boston, the trader already mentioned, speaking of otter skins, says :
" A full grown, prime, which has been stretched before drying, is
about five feet long and twenty-four to thirty inches wide, covered
with very fine fur, about three-fourths of an inch in length, having a
rich jet black, glossy surface, and exhibiting a silver color when
blown open. Those are esteemed the finest which have some white
hairs interspersed and scattered over the whole surface, and a per-
fectly white head. . . . Otters are sometimes seen many leagues
from land, sleeping on their backs on the surface of the water, with
their young ones reclining on their breast. . . . The cubs are
incapable of swimming until they are several months old. . . . She
will not leave her young ones in the moment of danger, and therefore
shares their fate. . . . They are unable to remain under water
longer than two minutes. . . . The male otter is, beyond all com-
parison, more beautiful than the female. . . . Skins of this animal
taken in the Corean and Japan seas are superior to those of Russia
or the north-western coast of America. . . . Nothing can be more
beautiful than one of these animals when seen swimming, especially
when on the look-out for any object. At such times it raises its head
quite above the surface." The number now caught on the coast of
British Columbia is very limited. A prime skin is sold as high as
one hundred and thirty dollars.
THE FATE OF DESERTERS. — The ship Manchester, of Philadelphia,
touched at Nootka, in 1802. She had a rich and valuable cargo,
which was obtained in England. Seven of her crew deserted whilst
at Nootka, and placed themselves under Maquinna's protecting care.
Shortly afterwards they attempted to desert to another chief tain r
but were captured and put to death in the most cruel manner.
TROUBLE WITH CHIEF MAQUINNA. — Next year, 1803, the ship
Boston, Captain John Salter, sailed from Boston and reached Nootka,
direct without calling at any other port. She anchored a short dis-
tance along the cove beyond Maquinna's village, and the crew were for
several days engaged in obtaining wood and water. In the meantime
Maquinna and his people visited the ship daily, and were entertained
as was usual in such cases. To Maquinna the captain presented a
double-barrelled fowling-piece, with which he expressed himself well
pleased. After the ship was nearly ready to depart, Maquinna came
THE FUR-TKADING PERIOD. 87
aboard with a gift of wild ducks, bringing back the gun with one of
the locks broken, remarking that it was peshak, or bad. Captain
Halter took offence at the expression, told the chief he was a liar, and
adding some other opprobrious terms, took the gun from him and
tossed it indignantly into the cabin. Maquinna, who knew enough
of English to understand what the captain said, did not utter a word
in reply, but smothered his rage ; and when the captain was speak-
ing, repeatedly put his hand to his throat, and rubbed it across his
breast. This he did, as he afterwards told Jewitt, " to keep down his
heart, which he said was rising in his throat and choking him."
INDIAN TACTICS. — Soon afterwards, Maquinna went ashore full of
vengeance for the insults which had been offered to him. He con-
nected the present with former bad usage which he had received from
other parties, and thought it would be a good opportunity to wipe out
old scores. Several of his chiefs had been killed by the Spaniards
and by peshak whites, who during his absence had carried off forty
otter skins, had frightened his women and had committed sundry
offences. He resolved to .capture the Boston, and slaughter all on
board. They were all guilty from his point of view. On the follow-
ing morning the natives came aboard with salmon, and remained
around the deck as usual. About noon, Maquinna and several subor-
dinate chiefs arrived, and being examined as was customary, were
allowed on board. At an interview with Captain Salter, Maquinna
expressed contrition for his conduct on the preceding day. He asked
and received permission to have a dance and frolic with his followers,
to make up for the past misunderstanding. It was arranged that
nine of the ship's men should go and procure salmon some distance
away. Maquinna was dressed fantastically for the dance. He had
on a frightful mask and carried a whistle in his hand. He appeared
remarkably gay and good-humored.
CAPTURE OF THE " BOSTON." — As soon as the ship's boats had left,
the performance commenced; the Indians capered around the deck,
entertaining the crew with all sorts of antics and gestures, keeping
time with the music of the chief's whistle. Other Indians were
allowed to come aboard the ship to see the sports. The armorer of
the ship, John R. Jewitt, gives the following particulars in a book
published in 1807, in Boston: "Shortly after the departure of the
boats, I went down to my vise-bench in the steerage, where I was
employed in cleaning muskets. I had not been there more than an
hour, when I heard the men hoisting in the long boat, which in a few
88 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
minutes after was succeeded by a great bustle and confusion on deck.
T immediately ran up the steerage stairs, but scarcely was my head
above deck, when I was caught by the hair by one of the savages,
and lifted from my feet. Fortunately for me, my hair being short,
and the ribbon with which it was tied slipping, I fell from his hold
into the steerage. As I was falling he struck at me with an axe,
which cut a deep gash on my forehead and penetrated the skull ; but
in consequence of his losing his hold, I luckily escaped the full force
of the blow. I fell stunned and senseless on the floor."
JEWITT'S ACCOUNT. — On regaining consciousness, Jewitt found the
hatch closed, and by the yells of the savages concluded they were in
possession of the ship. Presently he was brought before Maquinna,
and promised his life on condition of becoming a slave and making
weapons for his master. On the quarter-deck he was shown, in a
ghastly line, the heads of twenty-five murdered companions, and was
ordered to identify each by name. John Thompson, sail-maker, was
discovered in the hold along with Jewitt, where he had concealed
himself. His life was spared, Jewitt representing him as his father.
The ship was then towed to Friendly Cove and beached, when the
cargo was taken out and distributed among the tribe. In a few days
afterwards the vessel was burned.
ARRIVAL OF THE " LYDIA." — The two survivors lived among the
savages in Maquinna's service until 1805, when the Lydia, Captain
Hill, anchored at Nootka. Since the massacre of the crew of the
Boston, traders avoided the place. Maquinna, desirous of renewing
old commercial relations, got Jewitt to write a letter of introduction
to Captain Hill, the chief himself to be the bearer. The letter,
however, contained a request that Maquinna should be held a captive
until Jewitt and Thompson were released, which was required to be
done without delay. The request was complied with. The two men
now free, proceeded along with the Lydia, and reached Boston via
China before the end of 1807. Jewitt was an Englishman only
twenty years of age at the time of his capture.
ANOTHER ATTACK. — In 1805, a Boston ship, Captain Porter, was
attacked by the savages in Millbank Sound. A number of them were
on board trading, when the captain noticed some of them cutting the
cable by which the ship was secured. He fired his blunderbuss, killing
six of the natives. In the scrimmage which succeeded, the captain
and six seamen were killed, after which the other seamen succeeded
in repelling the assailants and saving the vessel. Captain Porter was
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 89
stabbed in the back and thrown overboard. This year the United
States explorers, Lewis and Clarke, readied the mouth of the
Columbia River overland from the head waters of the Missouri. A
Russian vessel, the Juno, Captain DeWolf, also made a visit along
the western coast, calling at Nootka and the mouth of the Columbia.
A RUSSIAN PROJECT. — The trade of shipping spars from the
Columbia River was initiated in 1806, by the Lydia, on her return
from the cruise north with Jewitt and Thompson aboard. The same
year the Russian inspector, Rezanof, purchased the Juno for his
company at Archangel. He urged on his company and his govern-
ment the importance of founding a Russian establishment on the
Columbia River, with a view of gaining exclusive possession of the
fur trade. To accomplish this, he considered it would be necessary
to build, as soon as possible, an armed brig to drive away the
" Bostonians " from this trade'forever. " From the Columbia," he said,
" we could gradually advance toward the south to the port of San
Francisco. I think I may say," he continues, " that at the Columbia
we could attract population from various localities, and in the course
of ten years we should become strong enough to make use of any
favorable turn in European politics to include the coast of California
in the Russian possessions."
TRADING-POST ON THE COLUMBIA. — The Russians now took an active
part in the trade of the coast, and made arrangements with certain
traders to hunt on shares. The " Winships," wealthy ship-owners,
continued to carry on an extensive trade in 1808, '9, '10, and had
planned a permanent settlement or trading-post on the Columbia
River. A site was selected at a place called Point Oak, on the
southern bank, about forty miles from the mouth. After considerable
progress had been made on a building, and in preparing land for
crops, an inundation forced them to move to a higher spot near by.
The hostile attitude of the Indians caused the project to be abandoned
altogether, although the Indians might have been easily controlled
during the ship's presence, it was not deemed safe to leave a small
party exposed to such danger.
ASTORIA FOUNDED. — John Jacob Astor, of New York, who had
accumulated a considerable fortune in fur dealing, instituted in 1810
the Pacific Fur Company, with Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia
River, as its emporium. He hoped to establish a line of posts across
the Rocky Mountains, within the United States territory, and so
become the great fur monopolist of the whole country. After the
90 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
war of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States, British
fur-traders were prohibited by Congress from carrying on their
business within the territory of the United States, so that Mr. Astor
found himself with no more advantages than others.
THE ILL-FATED SHIP "ToNQUiN." — To supply Mr. Astor's establish-
ment at Astoria, the ship Tonguin, Captain Jonathan Thorn, left
.New York in September, 1810, and entered the Columbia in March,
1811. Captain Thorn had for principal officer, Alexander Mackay,
who had in 1792-93 accompanied Alexander Mackenzie in his journey
to the Pacific coast. After landing the Astoria portion of the cargo
and arranging the preliminary work of the post, Captain Thorn
departed on a trading voyage northward with a company of twenty-
three men, including officers. They sailed until they reached
Vancouver Island and Clayoquot Sound, which was then, the report
says, inhabited by a powerful tribe — the Wah-en-ishes. These people
came aboard to barter furs for merchandise, and conducted themselves
in the most friendly manner during the first day. The same evening
information was brought on board by an Indian, whom the officers
had engaged as an interpreter, that the tribe was ill-disposed and
intended attacking the ship next day. Captain Thorn, whose conduct
during the voyage, arid especially during the short stay made at the
Sandwich Islands, showed him to be tyrannical and obstinate, affected
to disbelieve the news.
DEATH OF ALEXANDER MACKAY. — Next morning the savages came
around the vessel in great numbers. Mackay advised caution, and
ordered seven men aloft to unfurl the sails. In the meantime the
captain permitted about fifty Indians to come on board. They
immediately began to exchange otter skins for blankets and knives.
The blankets they threw into their canoes, but secreted the knives.
As had been previously arranged by them, when armed they moved
from the quarter-deck to different parts of the vessel, so that when
everything was in readiness they were so distributed that at least
three savages were opposite to every man on the ship. At a given
signal they rushed on their prey, and notwithstanding the brave
resistance of the crew on deck, every individual was butchered in a
few minutes.
FIVE OF THE CREW RETREATED TO THE CABIN. — The men aloft, in
attempting to descend, lost two of their men, besides one mortally
wounded, who, notwithstanding his weakened condition, made good
his retreat with the four others to the cabin. The interpreter escaped
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 91
and was secreted by the women. He afterwards reached Astoria
and reported the affair. Those in the cabin found loaded arms, and
began firing on their savage assailants through the skylights and the
companion-way, which had the effect of clearing the ship in a
short time, and long before night the five men had full possession.
Whether from lack of ability to navigate the vessel back to the
Columbia River or want of courage, the four men who were unhurt
left in the long boat early the following morning. They wished the
wounded man to accompany them, but he refused, saying he must
die before Jong and was as well in the vessel as elsewhere.
MAGAZINE BLOWN UP. — Soon after sunrise, the Tonquin was
surrounded by a great number of Indians in canoes. They came for
the purpose of unloading her, but from the warm parting they got on
the previous day, did not seem forward in boarding. The wounded
man. however, showed himself at the railing, made signs that he was
alone and wanted their assistance, on which some ventured on board
and found what he said was true. They spoke to their people, who
then came aboard quickly, so that in a very short time the deck was
considerably thronged, and they proceeded to undo the hatches
without any further ceremony. No sooner were they completely
engaged in this, than the only survivor of the crew descended to the
cabin, and having everything in readiness, set tire to the magazine,
containing nearly nine thousand pounds of gunpowder, which, in an
instant, blew the vessel and everyone on board to atoms. The
Indian nation acknowledged having lost one hundred warriors, beside
a vast number of wounded, by the explosion, which included those in
canoes around the ship. The four men who set off in the long boat
were, two or three days afterwards, driven ashore in a gale and
massacred by the natives. The interpreter was detained two years
in slavery before he effected his escape.
INTOXICATING LIQUOR PLAYS HAVOC. — Whilst on the sea-board of
the Pacific, the natives were yearly becoming more demoralized,
more passionately fond of intoxicating liquor, which was supplied to
them ad libitum by many of the masters of trading- vessels to whom
the demoralization of the people was a matter of indifference so long-
as they were enabled to fill their ships with furs, the North-West
Company were extending their trade westward, following at first the
course of travel which Sir Alexander Mackenzie took in his
exploratory trip to the Pacific coast in 1792-93.
92 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
CHAPTEK IX.
FURTHER EXPLORATIONS AND FUR-TRADING.
THE NORTH-WEST COMPANY. — Mr. Simon Fraser's explorations
next come in order. They have exercised considerable influence on
the history of British Columbia. Fraser entered the service of the
North- West Company in 1792, at the age of nineteen; ten years
later he became a partner. In 1805 a conference was held at Fort
William, north shore of Lake Superior, to discuss the advisability of
extending the operations of the Company beyond the Rocky Moun-
tains, for the purpose of occupying the territory. This action was
taken to anticipate the United States explorers and traders who
might advance northward and establish a claim to ownership by
right of discovery and occupation. It was decided that trading-posts
should be established in the then unknown territory, and possession
should in this way be taken of it. The duty of carrying out this
project was assigned to Mr. Fraser. He soon afterwards left Fort
William, made his way to Lake Athabasca, and ascended Peace River
to a suitable place in the mountains, where he established a trading
post, which he named Rocky Mountain Portage. Placing men in
charge, he continued his journey to McLeod Lake, which he discov-
ered, and where he established Fort McLeod.
STUART RIVER AND LAKE. — He portaged to Fraser River in 1806.
At that date it was regarded as the main stream of the Columbia, or
one of its principal affluents. Leaving the Fraser River, he ascended
a tributary flowing from the westward, now known as Stuart River,
and so named from a companion in the service, Mr. John Stuart.
He traced this stream to Stuart Lake ; he here established a trading-
post, the present Fort St. James. He penetrated to Fraser Lake,
another of his discoveries, and there also he established a trading-
station.
ARRIVAL OF CANOES AND SUPPLIES. — In 1807, two canoes with
goods from Athabasca reached him, under the charge of Messrs.
Quesnel and Parries ; at the same time he received letters urging him
to carry on his explorations to the ocean, by the river flowing through
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 93
the country to the south, in anticipation of parties from the United
States who were displaying some activity at this date ; Lewis and
Clark having been sent out by the United States government to the
Pacific coast. This year Mr. Fraser established another post, Fort
George, on the main stream. The name New Caledonia was applied
to the whole territory.
PREPARATIONS COMPLETED. — In the spring of 1808, Mr. Fraser,
with Messrs. John Stuart, Jules Maurice Quesnel, and a crew of
nineteen men and two Indians, embarked in four well-furnished
canoes to explore the unknown waters, which were regarded as the
main affluent of the Columbia. They left Fort George on May 26th,
where the river is described as three hundred yards wide, with a
strong current. They reached its mouth on July 1st, and found the
latitude to be about 49°, establishing that the river was a separate
and distinct stream and not the Columbia, which it was then known
entered the ocean in 46° 20'.
FRIENDLY INDIANS. — For a few days after leaving Fort George,
the expedition made rapid progress. Sir Alexander Mackenzie had,
fifteen years earlier, passed over some extent of the distance to the
point where, on the advice of the Indians, he turned back, to follow
a trail westward to the sea. The Indians whom Mr. Fraser met
were friendly, and gave him similar advice; they informed him that
the descent of the river was extremely dangerous, that he could not
go on, and that the whole party would meet destruction if they made
the attempt. The object of the undertaking being' to follow the river
to the mouth, Fraser declined to turn back. The verification of the
Indian description of the navigation was not long delayed, for in a
short time appalling difficulties were encountered.
FRASER'S JOURNAL. — A narrative of the journey in Fraser's journal,
published a few years ago by Senator Masson, furnishes the following
extracts: "On June 1st, five days after they started, the river nar-
rowed to a canyon, in which they lost one of their three canoes." On
the 5th, the river contracted to a width of not over thirty yards,
between precipices, the water "turbulent, noisy and awful to behold."
They made a portage of a mile over most difficult ground, leaving the
men harassed by fatigue. On the 6th, finding a cascade and whirl-
pool hemmed in by huge rocks, to avoid portaging they lightened the
canoes and ran the rapids. On the 9th, "the .channel contracted to
about forty yards, and is enclosed by two precipices of immense
height, which, bending towards each other, make it narrower above
94 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
than below. The water which rolls down this extraordinary passage
in tumultuous waves and with great velocity, had a frightful appear-
ance. However, it being absolutely impossible to carry canoes by
land, all hands without hesitation embarked as it were a corps perdu
upon the mercy of the awful tide. . . . Skimming along as fast as
lightning, the crews, cool and determined, followed each other in
awful silence, and when we arrived at the end, we stood gazing at
each other in silent congratulation on our narrow escape from total
destruction."
ABANDONED THE CANOES. — Eraser's journal further states : "This
afternoon the rapids were very bad ; two in particular were worse, if
possible, than any we had hitherto met with, being a continual series
of cascades, intercepted with rocks and bounded by precipices and
mountains that seemed at times to have no end." At last they found
the navigation wholly impracticable, while the precipitous river sides
had a most forbidding aspect. Even men of their nerve could
proceed no further on the foaming stream. On the 10th they were
compelled to abandon the canoes and many articles not absolutely
required. They started to travel the rugged banks on foot, each
with a load of eighty pounds.
REACHED THE CONFLUENCE OF A LARGE RIVER. — To describe the
walking would baffle description ; only those who know the river can
imagine what these travellers endured, passing along the declivity of
mountains, ascending and descending rugged rocks, crossing ravines
and climbing precipices. Thus they continued for nine days, until
they reached a large and rapid river flowing from the east. This was
named Thompson River, after David Thompson, astronomer to the
North-West Company, who shortly afterwards founded Fort Kamloops
at some distance up the river.
JACKASS MOUNTAIN. — That part of the bank now known as Jackass
Mountain was reached on the 20th. The journal reads : " The ascent
was dangerous; stones and fragments of rocks were continually giving
way from our feet and rolling off in succession. The ascent (on the
25th) was perfectly perpendicular ; one of the Indians climbed to the
summit, and by means of a long pole, drew us up one after the
other. This work took three hours ; thus we continued our course,
up hills and down, and along the steep declivities of mountains,
where hanging rocks and projecting cliffs at the edge of the bank of
the river, made the passage so small as to render it at times difficult
for one person to pass sideways."
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 95
SPUZZUM. — They arrived at what is now called Spuzzum, on the
26th ; on the 29th they emerged from the canyon, and were for-
tunate enough to obtain a canoe from the Indians in the neigh-
borhood, by means of which they reached tide water on July 1st.
The Indians on the coast were exceedingly troublesome, so Fraser
was obliged to hasten his departure. With his party he started on
July 3rd, returning by the route they name, and reached their
starting-point, Fort George, on the 6th of August.
CHAPTEE X.
ROUTE TO THE PACIFIC.
DAVID THOMPSON, THE ASTKONOMER. — Communication to the in-
terior of New Caledonia from the Pacific was not rendered available by
the Columbia River route until after David Thompson, already men-
tioned, had reached Fort Astoria, which he did in 1811, but not by
the route from Athabasca. Mr. Thompson was of Welsh parentage.
He was born in 1770, and received his education at "The Grey Coat
School," London. He entered the service of the Hudson Bay Com-
pany in 1789, and proceeded to Fort Churchill, where he remained
five years. During the succeeding nine years he was engaged in
making surveys of the Rivers Nelson, Churchill, Saskatchewan and
their tributaries, frequently visiting York Factory during that period.
JOINED THE NORTH-WEST COMPANY. — Having completed his en-
gagement with the Hudson Bay Company, he joined the North- West
Company in 1797, when he went to the Grand Portage, near Lake
Superior. Following his duties as astronomer and geographer to the
Company, for a number of years he was present with the Mandan
Indians in Missouri, at Lac La Biche, Lake Athabasca, the Rocky
Mountains, and nearly all the stations of the Company throughout
the vast territory.
NUMEROUS AND DIFFICULT JOURNEYS. — He made several attempts
to cross the Rocky Mountains farther south than the Peace River
Pass used by Mackenzie and Fraser. In 1800, he entered the moun-
tains at the head waters of the Bow River by the same pass as that
now followed by the Canadian Pacific Railway. He descended one
96 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
of the branches of the Columbia, but was compelled by hostile Indians
to return. In 1807, he was again in the Rocky Mountains, passing
by what is now known as Howe's Pass. This time he reached the
Columbia River, and ascended it to the source, where he built Fort
Kootenay. In 1808, he descended River Kootenay to Kootenay
Lake, where he entered into trade relations with the Flathead
Indians of that country. He returned to Fort Kootenay by another
route, descended the Columbia to Blackberry River, and recrossed
the mountains by Howe's Pass. His party had collected a consider-
able quantity of furs, which they brought to Rainy Lake House,
which they reached August 2nd. His party and himself suffered
much hardship on the expedition.
KICKING HORSE PASS. — Mr. Thompson again started west on
August 4th, and arrived at the Columbia River, October 3rd ; this
time probably by Kicking Horse Pass, now used by the Canadian
Pacific Railway, as in his notes he mentions that rapid river as
flowing westward. He went as far as Kootenay and made explorations
in that region, and collected furs which his party brought east with
them. There is some confusion of dates in Mr. Thompson's account
about this time, but it appears that, late in the autumn of 1810, he
ascended Athabasca River to its source, and crossed the mountains by
what is now known as the Athabasca Pass to the Columbia, where he
arrived early in January, 1811. He spent the remainder of the winter
at the mouth of Canoe River, at the Big Bend of the Columbia, and
early in the spring left for the mouth of the Columbia, but he did not
follow the stream with the current as was the general method, but
ascended the river to its source, crossed McGillivray portage and
descended Kootenay River, thence by Pend d' Oreille and Spokane
Rivers. On June 19th he reached the falls of the Columbia at the
point where Fort Colville was subsequently erected, and thence
followed the main river to the Pacific coast, where he arrived on
July 15th.
THE PACIFIC FUR COMPANY. — Mr. Thompson was kindly received
by the officers of the Pacific Fur- Company, who had arrived a few
weeks earlier, and were then establishing Fort Astoria. He remained
a few days, and returned as he came to Fort Colville, thence by
Arrow Lakes and the Columbia to the mouth of Canoe River, the
point whence he had started a few months previously. It is probable
that before he returned east he proceeded to the Thompson River,
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 97
located Fort Kamloops, and defined the future route to and from
Athabasca through New Caledonia.
DEPENDENT ON INDIANS FOR FOOD. — In the meantime, Mr. Fraser's
colleagues were actively engaged in extending the trade of the Com-
pany in the interior. It was demonstrated by Mr. Fraser that a
portion of Fraser River was impracticable for navigation and could
not be used. This will readily be conceded by modern travellers on
the Canadian Pacific Railway, as they are carried comfortably in the
train which runs along the Fraser from the confluence of the Thomp-
son, and as they look with astonishment and awe on the frowning
precipices along which Mr. Fraser and his party made their toilsome
and dangerous way. That journey throughout had required the
greatest nerve and courage. The travellers on the lower section of
the route were dependent on the Indians for food, which consisted of
dried fish, berries and roots. Except on the upper section of the
interior previously visited by Mackenzie, none of the tribes on the
route had ever before seen the face of a white man. Great caution
and prudence were required to avoid awakening the enmity of the
natives.
SIMON FRASER'S RETIREMENT. — Mr. Fraser remained in the service
of the Company for some years after the exploration of the river which
has been named in his honor. After his retirement from the position
which he occupied he was offered a knighthood, but declined the title
on account of his limited wealth. He died at St. Andrews, near
Montreal, in 1863, at the age of eighty-nine. Mr. Sandford Fleming,
in a paper read before the Royal Society of Canada, 8th May, 1889,
states that Mr. Fraser died poor, leaving no provision for his family,
three of whom survive him, viz., his daughter, Catherine Harriet
Fraser, who resides in Cornwall, Province of Ontario, and her two
brothers — William, who lives in Hamilton, Ont., and Roderick, in St.
Andrews, county of Stormont.
SANDFORD FLEMING'S REFERENCE TO DAVID THOMPSON. — In the
same interesting paper, Mr. Fleming, referring to Mr. David
Thompson, says that, in 1799, he married Charlotte Small, aged
fifteen. He lived to be eighty-seven, dying at Longueuil, opposite
Montreal, in extreme poverty. His widow followed him to the
grave in a few weeks. Bancroft says of David Thompson : " No
man performed more valuable services or estimated his achievements
more modestly." He was well educated, and his meteorological and
astronomical observations to this day command respect. Three of his
98 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
daughters survive : Mrs. G. E. Shaw, of Peterborough, Ontario ; Mrs.
R. Scott, Evansville, Indiana, and Miss Thompson, Ivanhoe, Ohio.
BANCROFT'S OPINION. — The North- West Company had thus obtained
a footing in New Caledonia, and, through their enterprising leaders
and explorers, were in a position to increase their trade. Bancroft
speaking of them pays them the following high compliment : "Of all
associations formed at any time or place for the purpose of obtaining
the skins of fur-bearing animals, the North- West Company, of
Montreal, was the most daring, dashing, audacious and ultimately
successful. It energy was only surpassed by the apathy of its great
chartered rival which had been in existence 113 years. Canada had
been twenty years in British possession when it was organized,
without assistance, privileges, or government favors, by a few Scotch
•Canadians for the better prosecution of a business with which they
were all more or less familiar."
SCOTTISH SHREWDNESS AND ENERGY. — " Infusing into their traffic
the spirit of adventure and enterprise, these associates pushed the
fur trade beyond Lake Superior to 'Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and
Athabasca, and finally overspread the then new North- West. It was
they who found the River Mackenzie and followed it to the Frozen
Ocean ; it was they who ascended Peace River, crossed the Rocky
Mountains, planted posts upon their western slopes, and traversed
the country to the Pacific ; it was they who^ by their Scotch shrewd-
ness and resistless energy, after absorbing the Canada trade took
possession of the north-west coast, swept Astor from the Columbia
and brought the monster monopoly itself upon its knees.5'
FORMATION OF THE COMPANY. — The Company was formed in the
winter of 1783-4, by the larger part of the wealthiest and most
influential of the merchants of Montreal. The number of shares
originally was sixteen. Among the partners were Simon McTavish,
Benjamin and Joseph Frobisher, MacGillivray, Recheblave, Fraser
•and others. Messrs. Pond, Pangman, Gregory, McLeod and the
afterwards famous Alexander Mackenzie were admitted to the
partnership in 1787, and the number of shares was increased to
twenty. The company then included the best mercantile men in the
country — the choicest of Canadian ""fur-traders. The partners were
not required to pay any money into the concern, but every partner
must be a strong man in some one particular branch of the business.
PLAN OF OPERATIONS. — It was worked in this way : The two
wealthiest commercial establishments in Montreal were those of the
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 99
Messrs. Frobishers and Simon McTavish. These two distinct houses,
while continuing their regular business, acted conjointly as agents of
the North-West Company in Montreal. They were to supply the
necessary capital for conducting the business, and were to receive
interest on the money actually used in the Company's transactions.
They were to obtain supplies from England, have the goods on hand
in Montreal, according to the requirements of the trade, and packed
and shipped to the Grand Portage, on the north of Lake Superior,
where the French-Canadians formerly had a rendezvous, and where the
North-West Company then made their headquarters ; bringing there
every spring the furs collected and sending thence fresh supplies for
the interior. To this rendezvous two of the Montreal agents pro-
ceeded every year to attend to the transfer business, for which service
the Montreal partners received a commission in addition to dividends
on their shares.
WINTERING PARTNERS. — The other proprietors were to spend their
time in the Indian country, managing the business with the assistance
of clerks, remaining during the winter in the fur-trading districts, and
were termed "wintering partners." They were not obliged to furnish
capital, but ability and energy ; and even then such was the skill and
influence of some of them that they held two shares, with one of which
they might at any time retire from active service, each naming a clerk
as his successor, who was entitled to the other share. It was a perfect
system — an admirable combination of skill and capital — founded not
on speculative theory but on actual experience and practical necessity.
PARTNERSHIP. — It was no easy matter to obtain admission into
this partnership. It could only be accomplished by long and arduous
service ; money was no object, ability was everything. It was what
the candidate could perform, not his relationship which secured him
the position. Clerks succeeded to partnership after a five or seven
years' apprenticeship, receiving one hundred pounds sterling for the
term, according to priority and merit. If, at the expiration of their
apprenticeship, there was no immediate vacancy in the partnership,
a salary of from one hundred to three hundred pounds per annum,
was allowed according to merit, until they could take their place
as partners.
INTERPRETERS RECEIVE EXTRA PAY. — Apprentices, during their
initiation term sometimes added to their duties the office of inter-
preter, receiving extra pay therefor. Shares could only be sold to
servants of the Company, whose admission as partners was secured
100 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
by vote ; the seller of a share received only its value based upon
actual earning irrespective of probable dividends. This held out
to meritorious young men, who had served a five or seven years'
apprenticeship, the prospect of some day obtaining shares without
the payment of a premium ; and if worthy, they were seldom disap-
pointed. Each share was entitled to a vote, and a two-thirds vote
was necessary to the carrying of a measure. Thus, by a liberal and
intelligent policy interest was aroused and emulation sustained, and
the affairs of the Company were no less wisely ordered than efficiently
executed.
GREAT SUCCESS IN 1788. — From such a complete organization,
signal success was obtained. In 1788, the gross return of the trade
was .£40,000. It reached three times that amount in eleven years.
The partnership having in 1790 expired through lapse of time, was
renewed. Some of the former partners retired ; others were admitted,
and the shares were increased to the number of forty-six. A new
firm was formed by the retired partners and others, who built a
new fort, and styled themselves the X. Y. Company. So, for a time,
there was an additional powerful company in the field ; but in 1805,
yielding to the dictates of interest, the two companies united. The
new fort was named Fort William, after William MacGillivray who
originated the measure, which first in the North- West Company and
later in the Hudson Bay Company, made every efficient clerk in due
time partner or shareholder. The demolition of the old fort and the
building of the new was in consequence of the boundary line between
the United States and Canada having been determined, the old fort
having been found to be on United States ground. The Company,
therefore, built the new fort forty-five miles to the northward, near
the mouth of the Katninistiqua River, flowing into Thunder Bay, on
the shore of Lake Superior.
THE X. Y. COMPANY. — The routine of the Company's business was
as follows : In October of each year the agents at Montreal ordered
goods from London, which were shipped the following spring and
reached Canada in the summer. Those goods consisted of coarse
woollen and cotton cloths, calicoes, blankets, silk and cotton hand-
kerchiefs, hats, hose and shoes, thread and twine, brass kettles, cutlery
and other hardware, arms and ammunition. Tobacco, liquors and
provisions were obtained in Canada. No money was directly em-
ployed in the purchase of furs from the natives : Indians scarcely
ever knew what money was.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 101
SHIPPED TO LONDON. — Next winter the cloth was made into such
articles as suited the trade with the natives. The stock required
was then put into packages of ninety pounds each, and sent from
Montreal the following May, reaching the wilderness market the
winter following — two years from the date of ordering. Goods for
the trading-posts beyond the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific were
still longer in reaching their market. Goods were frequently kept
over a year or two at the interior forts, and thus furs did not reach
Montreal until the autumn following the winter of their purchase.
Then they were shipped for the most part to London and sold ; but
payment was not received until the succeeding spring and summer,
three years at least from the shipment from England of the goods
with which they were purchased, and sometimes four or five years.
LONG CREDIT GIVEN.— Allowing the Montreal agents twelve months'
credit in London, they were still obliged to carry for two years the
outlay for the goods and the expenses attending their sale. Those
expenses were about equivalent to the first cost of the goods. So
that when the traffic was £80,000. or £120,000 per annum, the
amount required to be carried, especially for those times, was enor-
mous ; and although profits were large, expenses, risk and wages were
also large. At first the goods for New Caledonia and Astoria were
transported in boats, on men's backs and on horseback, at immense
cost and labor. Later they were shipped round Cape Horn and
brought up the Columbia and Fraser Rivers.
FOUNDERS OF THE FUR TRADE. — Such were the enterprising,
energetic and able men who first introduced trade and civilization into
New Caledonia, : and such was the admirable and complete system
which enabled them to control the natives and deal with them so
successfully. Sir Alexander Mackenzie, Simon Fraser and David
Thompson had discovered the routes. The Columbia River route,
although lengthy and difficult, was adopted as the best connecting
with the great emporium, Montreal. In 1813, they had extended
their operations to Astoria, and purchased that trading-port on the
Pacific, thus occupying the whole region west of the Rocky Moun-
tains, including the trade which belonged to the tributaries of the
Columbia from the Flathead country, which extended to near the
head waters of the Missouri River. That river had been previously
surveyed by David Thompson in defining the boundary between the
United States and Canada, and which necessitated the removal of the
fort at Lake Superior to Fort William, as already referred to. The
102 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
writer of this visited one of their forts at Fort Benton, in 1883. It
was substantially built of adobe, and had it been kept in repair, could
have been occupied to the present time. So it thus appears that the
North-West Company was in possession of the whole of the northern
portion of the Continent, with the exception of that occupied by the
Hudson Bay Company, whose headquarters were at Norway House,
and the strip on the extreme north-west coast where the operations
of the Russian Fur Company were carried on.
BUSINESS IN 1798. — The following statement of the North West
Company's business for 1798, gives 106,000 beaver; 2,100 bear;
5,500 fox ; 4,600 otter ; 17,000 musquash ; 32 marten ; 1,800 mink :
600 lynx; 600 wolverine; 1,650 fisher; 100 racoon; 3,800 wolf;
700 elk ; 1,950 deer ; and 500 buffalo skins. In the foregoing list
there was only a very small quantity from New Caledonia. The
employes of the Company were: 50 clerks, 1,120 canoe-men, and 35
guides. Of these, 350 boatmen, 18 guides and 5 clerks were employed
between Montreal and Fort William.
GUIDES, EQUIPMENTS, ETC. — 'As compensation for the trip, the
guides received, besides expenses and the privilege of trading on their
own account, $160 and their equipment; foremen and steersmen,
$90 ; middlemen, $70, and a shirt, trousers and blanket. Those who
wintered at the upper end of the route received double pay. All
other employes were engaged by the year or a term of years. A
first-class equipment consisted of fourteen pounds of tobacco, two
blankets, two shirts, two pairs of trousers, two handkerchiefs, and
some trinkets for trading; second class, ten pounds of tobacco and
other articles ; third class, half the quantity of second class. To the-
north-men, as the employes who wintered in the forest were called,
were attached more than seven hundred native women and children,
victualled at the Company's expense. During the height of their
power, two thousand voyagers were employed at an average wage of
$200 per annum. The gross annual return of the trade at that time
was about $750,000. A writer (Umfreville) asserts, " that while the
Hudson Bay Company, through false economy, endeavored to make
boatmen of the Indians, and ground their servants down to £15 per
annum, the Canada merchants paid theirs £40. Yet the former
stigmatized the latter as pedlers, thieves and interlopers, because
they went where trade was, instead of waiting for it to come to them."
BRIGADES— How FITTED OUT. — It may be interesting at the
present time to learn how those brigades were fitted out. The start
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 103
was made from Lachine, on the St. Lawrence, eight miles above
Montreal, in the month of May, when the lakes and rivers are nearly
free from ice. At a cost of about $60 each, the requisite number of
canoes were provided, say, thirty, in which case the squadron was
divided into three brigades, each having its guide or pilot, whose
business it was to point out the course, take charge of boats and
property, attend to all repairs, and act as commander or admiral, to
whom the voyagers stood in the relation of common sailors.
FOREMAN AND STEERSMAN. — In each boat were eight or ten men
with their baggage, six hundred pounds of biscuit, two hundred
pounds of pork, three bushels of pease — these as ship's stores ; with
sixty-five packages of goods as freight. The equipment of the canoe
consisted of two oilcloths with which to cover the goods, a sail and
sailing tackle, an axe, a towing line, a kettle for cooking purposes, a
sponge for bailing, and some gum, bark and waptae for repairs. To
the inexperienced observer of these frail craft, thus crowded with
men and heaped with goods, three or four tons in each, until the
gunwale was within six inches of the water, it seemed that destruction
was inevitable, especially when winds and swift currents were con-
sidered. But so experienced and expert are these Canadian boatmen,
that loss of life and property was comparatively rare, although
accidents were frequent. Two picked men, a foreman and a
steersman, were placed, the one in the bow and the other in the
stern of every canoe. Those who simply plied the paddle were called
middlemen. A sail was hoisted whenever the wind was favorable.
SMALLER CANOES AND BOATS USED WESTWARD. — Above Fort
William and the Grand Portage, the boats used were only about half
the size of those used from the east, and were managed by four, five
or six men. They carried about thirty-five packages, twenty-three of
which were for purposes of trade, and the remainder for luggage or
stores. Ninety-pound packages, from long experience, were proved
to be the most convenient weight. The usual load for one man was
two packages, but if the way was exceedingly rugged, one sufficed,
although an ambitious boatman would sometimes carry three. These
were slung upon the back, and there supported by a strap placed
across the forehead. The cargoes were thus carried to some point
above the fall or rapid, to which the canoes were towed by a strong
line or carried on the men's shoulders. The carrying-place or
*' portage " passed, the boats were again loaded and the party
proceeded. So methodical and expert did these boatmen become by
104 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
practice, that a portage was made in an incredibly short time, from
twelve to twenty being frequently passed in a single day. The
length of the portage varied greatly, extending from sixty yards to six
miles, or even twice or thrice that distance. Round a perpendicular
fall the way was usually not far. In crossing from one stream to
another the carrying-places were longest.
THE EARLY TRADERS DESERVE CREDIT. — Sir Alexander Mackenzie,
in his journal, says : " The tract of a transport occupies an extent of
from three to four thousand miles, through upwards of sixty large
lakes and numerous rivers, and the means of transport on slight bark
canoes. It must also be observed that these waters are intercepted
by more than two hundred rapids, along which the articles of
merchandise are chiefly carried on men's backs, and over one hundred
and thirty carrying-places, from twenty-five paces to thirteen miles
in length, where the canoes and cargoes proceeded by the same
toilsome . and perilous operation." Contrast this, then the only
available and best method of transit of goods and travel less than
one hundred years ago, with the present railway and steamboat
accommodation, and the changes which are found to have taken
place are marvellous. When the distance from Athabasca Pass to
Astoria is added, with its accompanying difficulties, it will readily
be conceded that those early traders deserve more credit than is
generally awarded to them.
COLUMBIA RIVER BOATS. — The birch bark canoe was not the kind
generally used in New Caledonia. A boat specially for the trade of
the Columbia River, was made at Okanagan. It was modelled after
a whale-boat, and clinker built, with all the timbers flat, and so light
that it could be easily carried. In the construction, pine gum was
used instead of pitch. It was a bateau, thirty-two feet long, six and
a half feet amidships, made of thin pine boards, both ends sharp,
without keel, and propelled either with oars or paddles. Between
points of communication, after leaving the Columbia and some of the
northern trading-posts to Athabasca, it was not uncommon in some
of the passes of New Caledonia to see a train of two hundred horses,
each laden with two packages of furs, winding with the narrow trail
round cliffs and through passes, on their way to canoe navigation.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 105
CHAPTEE XI.
OPERATIONS ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER.
ALEXANDER HENRY. — A fur trader of some note, Alexander Henry,
is connected with the history of this period at Astoria (Fort George).
He was present there when Captain William Black and officers of
the war-sloop Racoon landed in 1813 and took possession of the
country in the name of his Britannic Majesty. This had now
become the place of rendezvous for a large number of fur traders,
who, since the treacherous and most barbarous massacre of the crew
of the Boston by Maquinna, had avoided N"ootka. Mr. Henry first
left Montreal in 1799. For ten years or so he was engaged in the
Red River and Saskatchewan Districts, going south of Pembina to
Fort Abercrornby, and also visited the forts on the Missouri. From
1811 to his death in 1814, his mission was in New Caledonia. He
was drowned during a heavy storm whilst crossing the river." In the
boat were Mr. Henry and Mr. Donald MacTavish, two partners of
long standing and high reputation in the North- West Company's
service, and six men. All hands perished by the swamping of the
boat, with the exception of one man, John Little, who swam to shore.
The accident took place in broad daylight, opposite the fort, but was
not perceived or known for some hours after, until the man who was
saved arrived at the fort and communicated the sad news.
Ross Cox. — The second ship sent from New York by the Pacific
Fur Company, the Beaver, arrived at the mouth of the Columbia on
May 9th, 1812. Among the passengers was Mr. Ross Cox, who,
having obtained a clerkship in the service of the Company, had
proceeded to Astoria to assume his duties. In a narrative which he
published, he describes his adventures on the Pacific coast and his
journey overland to Montreal. In this publication he refers to the
arrival of Mr. David Thompson, on July 15th, 1811, in a canoe with
nine men. Mr. Cox, during the summer of 1812, left for the interior
to trade with the Spokane Indians. The following year he returned
to Astoria, to find a complete revolution. The Pacific Fur Company
had met with a series of misfortunes, in the loss of the Tonqmn and
106 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
otherwise. Mr. John George MacTavish and Joseph La Rocque, with
sixteen men of the North- West Company, had arrived and entered
into an agreement to purchase all the eflects of the Pacific Fur
Company at a valuation, and to give such of the Company's servants
as desired to return, a free passage home by Cape Horn or overland.
FLATHEAD INDIANS. — Mr. Cox was one of those who joined the
new administration. He left Astoria, October ^8th, to spend the
winter in trading with the Flathead Indians in the interior. The
following year he returned to headquarters, by that time named Fort
George, where he remained two months. On August 4th he left for
Spokane House. Between 1815 and 1817 he was in charge at Fort
Okanagan, and in the spring of the latter year he was again at Fort
George, whence he took his departure on April 16th, with a party
consisting of eighty-six men who embarked in two barges and nine
canoes.
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION. — The brigade ascended the Columbia
to Canoe River, and thence crossed the mountains by the usual route
by Lesser Slave Lake, He a la Crosse, to Cumberland House. They
descended the Saskatchewan, passed across Lake Winnipeg, Lake of
the Woods and Rainy Lake, and arrived at Fort William on
August 16th. At that date Captain Miles Macdonrtell, formerly ot
the Queen's Rangers, then connected with the expedition of Lord
Selkirk, and others were at the fort. There was encamped a motley
gathering of voyageurs, soldiers, Indians and half-breeds. Besides
natives of Canada and the United States, Mr. Cox states he saw men
from the Sandwich Islands, two negroes, and an East Indian from
Bengal. Proceeding by Sault Ste. Marie, French River and the
Ottawa, Mr. Cox reached Montreal, September 19th, five months and
three days from the date of leaving the Pacific coast.
ALEXANDER Ross. — Another of the pioneers of New Caledonia was
Mr. Alexander Ross. He was one of the twenty -eight Canadians
who landed at the mouth of the Columbia in 1811, in the ill-fated
Tonquin. Mr. Ross relates his adventures during the fifteen years
he remained on the Pacific coast, and published in 1849 and 1855 a
narrative of his expedition across the Continent. When in Upper
Canada he was invited by Mr. Alexander Mackay, the senior partner,
to join the Pacific Fur Company, then being organized by Mr. Astor.
He proceeded with several Canadians to New York, and there
embarked for the mouth of the Columbia. The Company comprised
thirty-three persons, all but three of whom were British subjects.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 107
Mr. Ross was present when Astoria was established, and when David
Thompson, of the North-West Company, arrived there a few weeks
later. He describes the circumstances which led during the follow-
ing summer to the breaking up of the Pacific Fur Company, and the
transfer of the stores, merchandise and buildings to the North- West
Company. Mr. Ross entered the service of the latter company, and
proceeded to discharge the duties assigned him in the interior. He
spent the following twelve years trading with the Indian tribes,
amongst whom he had many adventures, and not a few hair-breadth
escapes.
GABRIEL FRANCHERE. — Mr. Gabriel Franchere, another of the
passengers of the Tonquin, who fortunately remained at Astoria,
relates his experience in a narrative published by him on his return.
His statement agrees with that of Mr. Alexander Ross as to the
number of passengers being thirty-three, thirty of whom were British
subjects, and of these who had formerly been in the North- West
Company, including Alexander Mackay, who had accompanied Sir
Alexander Mackenzie on his overland travels. On the 12th of April,
a site was selected for a building in which the business of the com-
pany could be carried on. The establishment broke up in two years,
and on October 16th, 1813, the Canadian North- West Company pur-
chased the effects and accepted the transfer of the fort. Some of
the clerks who had been engaged by the Pacific Fur Company were
re-engaged during the winter by the new company. The others
returned to Canada, among whom was Gabriel Franchere who started
overland the spring following. He left Fort George on April 4th, 1814,
in company with some of his companions, who had doubled Cape Horn
three years earlier, and who were deprived of employment by the
turn of affairs on the Columbia. They embarked as passengers with
a North- West Company brigade, consisting of ten canoes, each with
a crew of seven men, in all ninety persons, some of whom were going
to posts in the interior. They were all well armed to protect them-
selves against the hostile tribes of Indians along the river. They
ascended the Columbia to the Great Bend, which they reached on
May 4th. Making their way across the Rocky Mountains, they
reached the upper waters of Athabasca River, which they followed to
Little Slave Lake. Their route from this point carried them to Fort
Cumberland, Lake Winnipeg and Fort William, where they arrived
on July 14th. Mr. Franchere reached his home in Montreal on the
1st of September.
108 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
THE WAR-SLOOP " RACOON." — The war which broke out between
the United States and Great Britain in 1812 naturally affected
Canada, and was felt in the far west on the Pacific coast. The visit
of the war-sloop Racoon, with twenty-six guns, to the Columbia River,
was with the intention of capturing Fort Astoria, or of seizing any
vessels which might be there belonging to the United States. For-
tunately for them they were all absent, and Astoria had recently been
transferred to the North-West Company, which was British. Trading
vessels belonging to the United States had been warned by their
Government to remain in neutral ports if they wished to avoid seizure.
This had the effect of stopping, for the time being, the sea-otter fur
trade, as Boston and other east-coast vessels were the most numerous
and persistent in following up that trade which had already been
well-nigh ruined on the Vancouver and Queen Charlotte Islands, by the
reckless manner in which they supplied the natives with intoxicating
liquor, demoralizing them and increasing their improvidence.
CAUSE OF THE WAR OF 1812. — It will afford information to many
to state the cause of the war of 1812, referred to. This may be
briefly explained by mentioning that, in 1793, Britain began a war
with France, which, with a short interval in 1802-3, had been con-
tinued against the power of Napoleon Bonaparte as general and
emperor. When Napoleon had conquered nearly all Europe, he
issued a decree from Berlin, to the effect that British goods should
not be bought or sold on the continent of Europe, and that other
nations should nob trade with Britain. ''England, who had for
many years been mistress of the sea, retaliated and issued an " Order-
in-Council " forbidding all neutral nations to trade with France, and
threatening these vessels with seizure if they did not call at English
ports." Under these restrictions, United States vessels could not
trade with either France or Britain without being liable to seizure.
Britain, also anxious to secure men for her navy, stopped United
States vessels on the open seas, and searched them for runaway
sailors and British subjects. This was looked upon by the United
States Government as a pretext to take United States sailors to man
British warships.
THE YOKE OF GREAT BRITAIN. — The Democratic party then in
power, which, since the Revolution, had been hostile to Great Britain
and friendly to France, declared war in June, 1812. General Hull
crossed the river from Detroit to Canada and issued a proclamation
inviting Canadians to throw off the yoke of Great Britain. The
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 109
invitation was not accepted. The attack was made along the frontier
at principal points from Detroit to Quebec. The struggle between
the two countries was carried on with varying success and great loss
of life on both sides, until the battle of Lundy's Lane was fought,
July 25th, 1814, between three thousand Canadian and four thousand
United States troops. The battle raged from five o'clock a.m. until
midnight. A Canadian historian writes : "The utmost stubbornness
and courage were shown by both armies in the fierce struggle for the
British guns. General Riall was taken prisoner, and Scott, Brown
and Porter, three United States generals, were wounded. At last,
worn out in vain effort to force the British position, the United
States troops retreated, leaving their dead to be burned by the
victors, for the number of slain was so great that burial was impos-
sible. The loss to the enemy was nearly nine hundred, to the British
about the same number."
AN OLD STATUTE IN FORCE. — In a newspaper despatch from
Washington, D.C., dated September 12th, 1893, a curious fact is
stated as having been developed in connection with certain arrests
made in New York the previous day, at the request of the Navy
Department, of sailors charged with desertion from the United
States cruiser Chicago, in England. An effort was made to secure
the arrest of the deserters while they were in England, but it was
ascertained that while the extradition law included deserters from
merchant vessels, it did not avail in case of deserters from men-of-
war, and the Navy Department was compelled to keep the men under
surreptitious surveillance, in the hope that they would return to
America. The inquiry at the State Department into the extradition
laws in connection with deserters, brought out the fact that the
feeling over one of the causes of the war of 1812, viz., the seizure of
United States seamen for service in the British navy, had served to
prevent, unto this day, a diplomatic arrangement between Great
Britain and the United States, for the mutual apprehension and
extradition of sailors from the navy of one country, who desert in the
possessions of the other country.
THE RIVALRY WHICH EXISTED.— After the extension of the North-
West Company's trade to the west of the Rocky Mountains, of which
they had a monopoly, an enormous and profitable business was carried
on. Events, however, were transpiring in the east which brought
about a radical change. The rivalry which existed between the
Hudson Bay Company and its energetic rivals had become so intensified
110 HISTOKY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
that a skirmish took place between the parties, in 1816, at Red
River, near the site of the present city of Winnipeg. Governor
Sample, of the Hudson Bay Company, was killed on that occasion.
His tragic end is described as follows : "The amiable and mild Mr.
Semple, lying on his side (his thigh was broken) and supporting his
head upon his hand, asked Mr. Cuthbert Grant to try and get him to
the fort, as he was not mortally wounded. The unfortunate gentle-
man was left in charge of a Canadian, who afterwards told how an
Indian came up and shot the governor through the breast. No
quarter was given ; the knife, axe, or ball put a period to the exist-
ence of the wounded. Out of a band of twenty-eight, twenty-one
were killed and one wounded, but escaped."
BROUGHT BEFORE THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. — This lamentable
state of affairs was brought before the British Parliament in 1819.
Both companies were suffering from the fierce competition which
existed — they were almost ruined. One writer says : "The interests
of the Hudson Bay Company suffered so much that between 1800
and 1821 their dividends were for the first eight years reduced to
four per cent.; during the next six years they could pay no dividend
at all, and for the remaining eight years they could only pay four per
cent." Sir George Simpson, in a report to the House of Commons,
lamented the general demoralization of Indians and whites arising from
the rivalry between the two companies, and said, "It was uncertain
for a long time which of them lost most money ; neither of them
gained money."
READY FOR RECONCILIATION. — Both companies were, therefore,
ready for reconciliation. In 1804, Edward Ellice, then a partner in
the North- West Company, offered Sir Richard Neave, Governor of
the Hudson Bay Company, £103,000 for the whole concern, that
being the capital stock of the Hudson Bay Company at that time ;
but part of the stock being the property of minors, the bargain was
not consummated. As early as 1801, Sir Alexander Mackenzie
advocated a union of the companies, and pointed out the advantages
which would result from such an arrangement.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. Ill
CHAPTEE XII.
THE CONFEDERATED COMPANIES.
UNION OF THE COMPANIES, 1821. — An Imperial Act was passed
2nd July, 1821, at the instance of Mr. Ellice, by which the rights and
privileges of the new company formed by the coalition of the
two combined companies, were continued under the name of THE
HUDSON BAY COMPANY. The Act also regulated the fur trade, and
established a criminal and civil jurisdiction in certain parts of North
America. The arrangement under which the companies were united
in March, 1821, was exceedingly fair and acceptable to both parties.
The North- West made over its property to the Hudson Bay Company,
and in return the members of the former became partners, and its
servants were taken into the employment of the consolidated company.
The territory east and west of the Rocky Mountains, not included in
the old charter, was granted to the new company, with the exclusive
right to trade for twenty -one years.
CHARTER OF H. B. C., 1670. — The first charter of the Hudson
Bay Company was granted in 1670 by King Charles II., to his trusty
and well-beloved cousin, Prince Rupert, and others, under the name
of " The Governor and Company of Adventurers of England trading
in Hudson Bay." This famous and long-lived corporation was
ostensibly established as mentioned in the charter, " for the discovery
of a new passage into the South Sea, for the finding some trade for
furs, minerals and other considerable commodities," and also for
" Christianizing the Indians." The charter granted the " adventurers
a monopoly of t^ade with plenary powers, executive and judicial, in
and over all seas, straits, lands, etc., lying within the entrance of
Hudson Straits, and the rivers entering them not already occupied by
any other English subject or other Christian power or state." In
return they were to yield and pay therefor two elks, and two black
beavers, whenever his Majesty or his heirs should set foot in the
territory.
THE FIRST TWENTY YEARS.— The early operations of this monopoly
were confined to the vicinity of Hudson Bay and James' Bay. As
will be seen from the following, the profits of the fur trade were
112 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
enormous : " Daring the first twenty years of its existence, the
profits of the Company were so great that, notwithstanding losses
sustained by the capture of their establishments by the French,
amounting in value to £118,014, they were enabled to make a pay-
ment to the proprietors, in 1684, of fifty per cent, and a further
payment in 1689 of twenty-five per cent. In 1690, the stock was
trebled without any call being made, besides affording a payment to
the proprietors of five per cent, on the increased or newly created
stock. From 1692 to 1697, the Company incurred loss and damage
to the amount of £97,500 from the French. In 1720, their circum-
stances were so far improved, that they again trebled their capital
stock with only a call of ten per cent, from the proprietors, on which
they paid dividends averaging nine per cent., for many years showing
profits on the originally subscribed capital stock, actually paid up, of
between sixty and seventy per cent, per annum from the year 1690
to 1800."
NEW GOVERNOR. — As has been stated, the trade of both com-
panies had been greatly interfered with and rendered unremunerative
by the bitter rivalry which existed between
the parties. With the union, however, there
was an end to rivalry in trade, and to deeds
of rapine and violence. A new era was
entered upon under the governorship of Mr
(afterwards Sir) George Simpson, who filled
that responsible office for nearly forty years,
until his death in 1860. Born in Ross-shire,
Scotland, George Simpson, while still a youth,
removed to London, where he was engaged in
sm GEORGE SIMPSON. commercial pursuits for nearly eleven years.
The ability, shrewdness and energy of young
Simpson had marked him out for a wide sphere of labor, under a far
distant sky. In 1819, when the companies were still battling furiously,
Mr. Simpson was invited to cast in his lot with the Hudson Bay Com-
pany. Early in 1820, therefore, he sailed from England for Montreal
by way of New York, and in May he was on the road from the Canadian
city to the North- West. During the winter of that year he was
stationed at Athabasca, where he endured many hardships and
privations, although he managed to carry on the rivalry in the fur
trade with evident tact and energy. The Ross-shire lad of twelve
years before had already made his mark, and assured for himself
future fame and fortune ; and when peace was at last concluded by
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 113
amalgamation, Simpson's talent had indicated him as the best man
to preside over the vast operations of the united company. After
serving a short time as Governor of the Northern Department, he
received his appointment, and became Governor-in-Chief of Rupert's
Land, and General Superintendent of the Hudson Bay Company's
affairs in North America.
EXPLORATION AND GEOGRAPHICAL DISCOVERIES. — The responsible
position which Governor Simpson so long occupied required special
qualifications, and these he possessed in an eminent degree. He was
a man of consummate tact and address, and at once set about healing
up old wounds, reconciling discordant interests, and removing old
prejudices and jealousies from amongst the people and former
employes. He was the first Hudson Bay governor who fulfilled, on
behalf of the Company, that duty imposed, as a condition, by the
charter — the task of exploration and geographical discovery. Although
as keenly alive to the material interests of his employers as the most
unreasonable shareholder could expect, Governor Simpson never lost
sight of the higher claims of science on his time, as well as on his
energies. To his skilful direction and the eagerness with which he
assisted Franklin, Richardson, Ross, Back and other explorers, the
most valuable results were due. It was he who sent out Dease,
Thomas Simpson, Rae, Anderson and Stewart upon the path of
research, and at every fort or factory controlled by Governor
Simpson, any explorer was sure of shelter, supplies, information
and advice. Also, during his long tenure of office, the profits of the
Company steadily increased year by year.
FOUR DEPARTMENTS. — The entire country north of the Columbia
and tributaries, and east of the Rocky Mountains, was now under
the control of the Hudson Bay Company. The territory west of the
Rocky Mountains was known commercially as the western depart-
ment. The whole trading territory was divided into four departments,
viz., Montreal, the southern, the northern and the western. There
were four factors for each. In the western department all were
under the direction of one man, who was subject to the governor of
all the departments.
CLASSIFICATION OP OFFICERS. — The following classification of officers
and men in the active service of the Hudson Bay Company, will tend
to show how perfect and complete was the organization: "Apart from
the governor and board of directors in London, there was first a local
governor, residing in Canada, having his headquarters at first at
114 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Prince of Wales Fort, afterward at York Factory, and later at Fort
Garry (now Winnipeg). This governor had full jurisdiction of all the
establishments of the Company. Second under him there were chief
factors, who might have charge of a department or of a factory,
supplying the lesser forts of a district; third, chief traders, usually
in charge of some single but important post; fourth, chief clerks,
who were sent with a crew of voyageurs on frequent expeditions, or
placed in charge of minor posts ; fifth, apprenticed clerks, a kind of
-forest midshipmen, raw lads, fresh from school, full of fun, spiced
'with mischief, who write, keep store, and wait upon their seniors ;
«ixth, postmasters, usually laborers promoted for good behavior to
the rank of gentlemen, and often placed in charge of a small station
or outpost; seventh, interpreters, generally laborers, with a smattering
of the native dialects in their vicinity ; eighth, voyageurs, or boatmen;
•ninth, laborers, employed in various ways, as in chopping, carrying,
mending, trapping, fishing, rough carpentering, blacksmi thing, or
boat-building. The laborer could not rise higher than postmaster,
while the apprenticed clerk might become chief factor, or even
governor. Five years of intelligent, faithful service entitled the
apprentice to a clerkship ; and after from ten to twenty years further-
service, he became chief trader, who was a half shareholder, and
in a few years thereafter, chief factor or shareholder. Speaking
generally, the chief factor directed the affairs of the Company, and
the chief trader, acting under the chief factor, managed traffic with
the natives." The system was the outcome of the experience of both
^companies and was admirably executed.
GROWTH FROM 1789 TO 1856. — A glance at the equipment of the
Hudson Bay Company shows that in 1789 they had only 315 men in
their employ, which included seventy-five seamen, who navigated two
ships and one sloop annually each way, which constituted the ocean
service. In 1846, it is stated, there were 513 articled men and
fifty -five officers, which with a network of trading-routes between
posts extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, gave them not only
extraordinary influence with the natives and the trade monopoly
of the North- West, but the actual domination of those regions, —
religious, political and social. In 1856, the affairs of 152 establish-
ments were managed by a governor, 16 chief factors, and 29 chief
traders, assisted by 5 surgeons, 87 clerks, 67 postmasters, 500
voyageurs, and 1,200 permanent servants, besides sailors on sea-going
-vessels and persons temporarily employed — about three thousand
men in all.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 115
CHAPTEE XIII.
THE NATIVE TRIBES AND CIVILIZATION.
PRIMITIVE CONDITION OF THE INDIANS. — Yery different, at the
present time, is the position and circumstances of the Indians from
the natives met by Captain Cook at Nootka, or those passed by
Alexander Mackenzie on his expedition to the Pacific coast. There
is a vast difference also in their numbers. They were then numerous,
nourishing, and apparently contented with their lot. " Then," says
a writer, " in this region nature's wild magnificence was yet fresh ;
coast, lake and river abounded with plenty ; primeval forests were
unprofaned ; numerous villages dotted shores and valleys ; from the
warrior's camp-fire the curling smoke never ceased to ascend, nor the
sounds of song and dance to be heard ; then, bands of gaily-dressed
savages roamed over every hillside— humanity, unrestrained, vied with
bird and beast in the exercise of liberty absolute. This is no history :
alas! they have none; it is but a sun picture, and to be taken
correctly must be taken quickly.
"Nor need we pause to look back through the dark vista of
unwritten history, and speculate who and what they are, nor for how
many thousands of years they have been coming and going, counting
the winters, the moons and the sleeps, chasing the wild game or
fur-bearing animals, pursuing and being pursued, killing and being
killed. All knowledge regarding them lies buried in an eternity of
the past, as all knowledge of their successors remains folded in an
eternity of the future. We came upon them unawares, unbidden,
and while we bargained our worse than useless commodities, they
melted away. The infectious air of civilization penetrated to the
remotest corner of their solitudes. Their ignorant and credulous
nature, unable to cope with the intellect of a superior race, absorbed
only its vices, yielding up its own simplicity and nobleness for the
white man's diseases and death. Savagism and civilization will not
coalesce any more than light and darkness."
INDIAN POPULATION, 1852 AND 1892. — In a report by the Hudson
Bay Company to the House of Commons, presented in 1857, the
116 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
following trading-posts and the number of Indians frequenting them
are mentioned. They were included in what is now within the
boundaries of British Columbia. The population about that time, or
say, in 1852, in round numbers is given at seventy-five thousand. The
Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for 189 2, published
a return of the last Dominion census, showing the number of resident
and nomadic Indians in British Columbia ; it also shows the religious
denominations to which they belong. A synopsis of that return,
giving the totals, is appended to the Hudson Bay Company's return
for comparison, as follows :
VANCOUVER ISLAND — Fort Victoria, 5,000; Fort Rupert, 4,000;.
Nanaimo, 3,000. FRASEB RIVER — Fort Langley, 4,000. NORTH-
WEST COAST— Fort Simpson, 10,000 ; Northern tribes, 35,000.
THOMPSON RIVER — 2,000. NEW CALEDONIA — Stuart Lake, McLeod
Lake, Fraser Lake, Alexandria, Fort George, Babines, and Connoly
Lake, 12,000. Making an approximate total of 75,000.
The Department of Indian Affairs gives, for 1892, the following
list of agencies :
1. West Coast Agency — number of Indians, 2,872, in 18 tribes or
bands, of whom 639 are Roman Catholics, and 2,233 pagans.
2. Fraser River Agency — 4,278, in 49 bands ; 547 Protestants,
3,719 Roman Catholics, and 12 pagans.
3. Kamloops Agency — 2,327, in 44 bands; 1,175 Protestants,.
1,084 Roman Catholics, 68 pagans.
4. Okanagan Agency— 852, in 13 bands; 46 Protestants, 73ft
Roman Catholics, and 70 pagans.
5. Cowichan Agency — 2,044, in 34 bands. In this agency the
majority have been baptized into the Catholic Church ; many attend
Wesleyan and English missions, but a large number attend no church
whatever ; in fact are pagans.
6. Kawkewlth Agency — 1,678, in 17 bands; 1,355 Protestants,
323 pagans.
7. William Lake Agency— 1,813, in 20 bands; 48 Protestants.
1,765 pagans.
8. Kootenay Agency — 638, in 5 bands ; all Roman Catholics.
9. North-west Coast (mainland) Agency — 4,049, in 25 bands ;
3,004 Protestants, 1,045 pagans.
10. Babine and Upper Skeena Agency — 2,612, in 25 bands; 7^
Protestants, 1,499 Roman Catholics, 1,038 pagans.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 117
No agent at Hiletsuck, 2,274; Tahelie, 1,000; other bands not
visited, 8,522.
Total, 34,959.
PROGRESS AT THE AGENCIES. — The Indians in Agency 2 are re-
ported by the visiting superintendent to possess real and, personal
property to the value of $1,312,545 (the real property is inalienable,
and belongs conjointly to the tribe) ; to have 3,673 acres of land
under cultivation; to own 103 ploughs, 62 waggons and carts; to
have raised 22,035 bushels of potatoes, 11,456 bushels of oats, 3,222
bushels of wheat, 2,436 bushels of barley, 2,643 bushels Indian
corn, and 150 bushels buckwheat, and cut 3,118 tons of hay;
that they own 986 horses, 478 cows, 253 sheep, and 2,400 pigs.
Agency 1 is credited with having $70,300 in personal property ;
value of furs taken, $66,600; raise 1,500 bushels of potatoes.
Agency 3 — value of real and personal property, $206,487 ; acres
under cultivation, 930; horses number 2,'202; cows, 292; pigs,
279; young stock, 347; value of furs taken, $10,045; other
industries, $53,200; corn, 523 bushels; wheat, 1,908; oats, 3,020;
beans, 1,261 bushels; potatoes, 19,180; tons of hay cut, 1,231.
Agency 4 — real and personal property, $208,992 ; furs, $2,635 ; other
industries, $20,200; corn, 963 bushels; wheat, 8,460 bushels; oats,
4,255 bushels ; peas, 1,460 bushels; beans, 585 bushels; onions, 218
bushels; potatoes, 13,679 bushels; hay, 727 tons. The other agen-
cies are reported upon, and show varied results, according to the
industrious habits or situation of the tribes.
EDUCATIONAL GRANTS.— Twenty-five Indian schools in British Col-
umbia received educational grants from the Dominion Government
in 1893, amounting in the aggregate to $40,434. The sums range
from $504 for each of sixteen schools; Coqualeetza, $1,300; Yale,
.$1,500; St. Mary's, $2,400; Kamloops, $3,250; Alert Bay and
Kuper Island, each $4,450; Metlahkathla, $5,270; and Kootenay,
-$6,500. Several of these schools are conducted on the industrial
plan, under the Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Meth-
odist Churches.
ANNUAL REPORT. — The visiting superintendent in his report states
" that the advancement and general condition of the native population
has been highly satisfactory. . . . The discontent which had been
noticeable for years past in some of the agencies, engendering feelings
hostile to the Government and to the Department, and therefore to
their- own advancement, seemed to be happily dying out, and to be
118 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
gradually replaced by a more trusting spirit and a desire to work in
harmony with those who labor for their good. ... A. steady im-
provement in the sanitary condition of the natives is observable. . . .
Much has yet to be learned and accomplished in that direction by
many of the bands. ... In four of the agencies, epidemics (measles,
influenza, and quinsy) appeared, and caused several deaths, mostly
amongst young people. . . . Throughout the remaining agencies the
general health was exceptionally good, and an increase of the Indian
population is observed. ... In visiting the Indians throughout the
Province, — was much pleased with the signs of advancement to be
seen, and by noticing to a great extent the increase of different indus-
tries amongst them, and the consequent comfort and contentment
visible. . . . For years, Indians, with their wives and families, and
many of the young men, on account of the opportunities of earning
money so easily at the hop-fields, and the excitement produced by
travel and a constant change, have been in the habit of abandoning,
for the greater portion of the summer and autumn, their reserves,
to the utter neglect of their gardens and other home industries. . . .
They also contract immoral habits, and diseases of mind and body,
which prove fatal to their advancement and to the welfare of their
offspring. Such being, mostly, the outcome of these annual peregrina-
tions, any change in such a course of life cannot but prove a blessing
to those concerned. ... In the Kamloops and Okanagan Agencies,
large numbers of the natives have been employed on the Pacific rail-
road. They continue to give every satisfaction to their employers
and the public by their peaceful and orderly conduct, and by their
steady and faithful work. . . . At Fort Steele, Kootenay, a skilled
physician is subsidized by the Provincial Government, whose presence
is prized by aborigines and white settlers."
DESERTED VILLAGES. — From the foregoing statements, it appears
that during the past forty years the Indian population has decreased
from 75,000 to 35,000, more than fifty per cent. The decrease on
the sea-coast is doubtless more than proportionate in some places.
For example, on Queen Charlotte Islands, early writers on the subject
state that from ten to twelve large bands existed there. From the
remains of villages of great extent, the statement need not be doubted.
Now only three villages — Massett, with a population of 401 ; Skide-
gate, 194 ; and Clew, once the populous and powerful Nishgar nation,
with a remnant of only 84 — remain. On either side of the entrance
of Cumshewa Inlet to Clew, their present station, are the ruins of
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 1191
two of their former villages. These relics, along with many others-
along the coast of these islands are sad evidence of the decay and
almost extinction of what was, less than one hundred years ago, the
most robust and warlike of the tribes on the Pacific coast. Contact
with what is called civilization, has led to their destruction. Without
any restraint, their reckless improvidence and love of intoxicating
drink fostered licentiousness and produced disease. Small-pox and
measles carried off thousands. Many tribes have become extinct,,
others are bordering on extermination.
CHAPTEK XIV.
THE TWO SYSTEMS CONTRASTED.
PRIMITIVE INDIAN REGULATIONS. — Under the management of the
two great fur companies in the interior of the country, the result has
been different. Their treatment of the natives was humane and
protective. They set up certain standards of trade, and acted up to
them fairly. They preserved order, and were ready to assist and
protect those who lived up to the required standard, and as ready
and determined to punish offenders. A stolen article must be-
restored. The tribe harboring a thief was cut off from commercial
intercourse. Bancroft says : " Unlike the people of the United
States, the British North Americans did not seek to revenge them-
selves upon savage wrongdoers, after the savage fashion. When an>
offence was committed they did not go out and shoot down the first
Indians they met; they did not butcher innocent women and children;
they did not scalp or offer rewards for scalps." The following extract
from the legislative journals of Idaho Territory shows to what depths
of cruelty and inhumanity the citizens of that state had reached :
" Resolved, that three men be appointed to select twenty-five men to
go Indian hunting, and all those who can fit themselves out shall
receive a nominal sum for all scalps that they may bring in ; and all
who cannot fit themselves out, shall be fitted out by the committee,,
and when they bring in scalps it shall be deducted out. That for
every buck scalp be paid $100, and for every squaw $50, and $25
for everything in the shape of an Indian under ten years of age.
120 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
That such scalp shall have the curl of the head, and each man shall
make oath that the said scalp was taken by the company."
WARS AND MASSACRES. — This barbarous mode of action could not
but rouse the most vindictive feelings amongst the natives. The
result is that five hundred million dollars has been spent by the United
States in Indian wars. This is the statement of Bancroft, the United
States historian, who adds, "between the shores of the Atlantic
and Pacific, in United States territory there is not a hundred-mile
patch on which white men and red men have not fought ; and during
our hundred years of national history each successive score may count
its great Indian battle, and some scores, three to five. ... North
of the Canadian line," he continues, " where dominate the same
avaricious Anglo-Saxon race over the same untamed element of
humanity, there never have been Indian wars or massacres, such as
have been almost constant on the United States border ; not a single
encounter such as we could call a bloody battle, and no money spent
by the Government to keep the natives in peaceful subjection.
BRITISH FUR COMPANIES — POLICY. — " The reason is plain. In the
latter instance the natives are treated as human beings, and their
rights in some measure respected. Being amenable to law they are
protected by the law. Of crimes among themselves, of their wars
and atrocities, the fur companies did not feel called upon to take
special notice, though without direct interference they used their
influence to prevent barbarities and maintain the peace, for the men
could not hunt and trade while fighting. By preventing the coalition
of neighboring nations; by fostering petty jealousies; by refusing
arms and ammunition for purposes of war; by dividing clans; by
setting up one chief and deposing another ; by weakening the strong
and strengthening the weak — the fur companies held the balance of
power. The British fur companies found it to their pecuniary interest
to be just and humane in their dealings with the natives.
CERTAINTY OF PUNISHMENT. — " If an Indian murdered a white
man, or any person in the employ of the Company, the tribe to which
he belonged were assured that they had nothing to fear ; that King
George men (the Indian appellation for Englishmen) were single-
hearted and just ; that unlike the Indians themselves, they did not
deem it fair to punish the innocent for the deeds of the guilty, but
the murderer must be delivered to them. This demand was enforced
with inexorable persistency. This certainty of punishment acted
upon the savage mind with all the power of a superstition. Felons
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 121
trembled before the white man's justice as in the presence of the
Almighty.
SERVANTS OF THE COMPANY HELD RESPONSIBLE. — " In all that vast
realm which they ruled, there was not a mountain distant enough,
nor forest deep enough, nor icy cave dark enough, to hide the felon
from their justice, though none but he need have aught to fear. The
officers and servants of the Company were ordered to go to any trouble
or expense in seeking and punishing an offender, and they were never
to cease their efforts until the end was accomplished. Employes of
the companies were unlike the United States border-men, inasmuch
as they were trained to the business and held to a strict account-
ability for every act, whether in their intercourse with white men or
Indians. They were no more allowed to shoot or ill-treat savages
than to murder or swindle their own comrades. The free trapper, on
the other hand, was often a rough character who escaped from home
in early life or from later questionable transactions. Governed solely
by his passions, and responsible to no one ; all cases to him were
simple questions of expediency ; when he thought of shooting an
Indian for the beaver skin he carried, it was well enough to consider
the chances of capture and escape."
"DAUGHTERS OF THE LAND." — In the early days it was customary
for the servants of the companies to take to wife " the daughters of
the land." " By this means two objects were secured : the more
powerful native tribes were allied to the trader's interest, and the
servants of the companies, as offspring came on, became fixed in the
country. Further than this, gross immorality was thus in a measure
prevented. No civilized marriage rites attended these unions. The
father of the bride was usually solicited, and presents were made,
after the Indian fashion ; the delighted women thus taken were, as a
rule, affectionate and obedient, and to the honor of the fur-hunters, be
it said, they were treated by the men with kindness and often with
show of respect. The fur companies have generally acknowledged
the claims of the half-breed children to protection and sustenance, and
this class has never been forced into savagism. Attached to the
North- West Company in 1817 were fifteen hundred half-breed women
and children ; so many, indeed, that the Company forbade their
servants taking new wives from the forest. Several thousand doljars
were subscribed, about that time, by the partners and clerks of the
North- West Company to establish a school at Rainy Lake, or Fort
William, for the education of the children."
122 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
CHAPTEE XV.
GREAT INCREASE OF TRADE.
FORT VANCOUVER. — After the union of the companies, retaining the
name of the Hudson Bay Company, trade rapidly grew and widened.
It was found that the site of Fort George (formerly Astoria), on the
Columbia, was too far west for convenience. It was, therefore,
changed in 1824-5, to a location on the north side of the river, six
miles above the mouth of Williamette River. The building, which
was named Fort Vancouver, was located on the fir-skirted brow of a
gently sloping prairie, about one mile from the river; but the distance
proving an obstacle to transport and communication, it was moved, a
few years afterwards, to within a quarter of a mile of the stream.
This site was also chosen for its convenience to the traffic, which was
carried on to and from Puget Sound. The fort continued in the
occupation of the Hudson Bay Company until 1847, when the head-
quarters of the Company were, removed to Victoria.
AN EXTENSIVE CONCERN. — The new fort, Vancouver, was an exten-
sive concern. Built in the usual parallelogram shape, it measured
750 feet in length and 500 feet in breadth, enclosed by a picket wall
of large and closely fitted beams, over twenty feet in height, secured
by buttresses on the inside. The interior was divided into two courts,
with about forty buildings ; ail of wood, except the powder magazine,
which was constructed of brick and stone. In the centre, facing the
main entrance, stood the governor's residence, with the dining-room,
smoking-room, and public sitting-room, or bachelors' hall, the latter
serving also for a museum of Indian relics and other curiosities.
Single men, clerks and others made the bachelors' hall their place of
resort. Strangers were sent there ; it was the rendezvous for pastime
and gossip. To these rooms artizans and servants were not admitted.
The governor's residence was the only two-story house in the fort, and
before it frowned two old mounted 1 8-pounders. The quarters of the
chief factor were provided in like manner with two swivel-guns.
RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. — A prominent position was occupied by the
Roman Catholic chapel, in which a majority of the employes
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 123
worshipped ; while the smaller congregation of Episcopalians, etq.,
made use of the dining-room for religious gatherings. The other
buildings consisted of dwellings for officers and men ; school, ware-
houses, and retail stores, and artizans' shops of all descriptions. The
interior of the dwellings exhibited, as a rule, an unpainted board
panel, with bunks for bedsteads, and a few other simple pieces of
furniture. A short distance from the fort, on the bank of the river,
lay a village of about sixty neat and well-built houses — laid out in
rows so as to form streets — for the married mechanics and servants.
In the group were also the hospital, boat house and salmon house,
and near by were barns, threshing mills, granaries and dairy
buildings.
A WELL-MANAGED FARM.— The plain around the fort, and along
the river as far as Calapooya Creek, for about nine square miles, was
occupied by a well-managed farm, fenced into grain fields, pastures
and gardens — the latter quite renowned for their large variety and
tine specimens of plants. Fully fifteen hundred acres were under
cultivation. The live stock numbered about three thousand head of
cattle, twenty-five hundred sheep, and three hundred brood mares.
On the dairy farm were upwards of one hundred cows, and a still
greater number supplied the dairy on Wapato Island, the produce
being chiefly absorbed by the Russian colonies in the north. About
six miles up the Columbia a grist mill and a saw mill were in operation.
Lumber and flour were shipped to the Sandwich Islands.
WALLA WALLA. — Another principal trading-post was Fort Walla
Walla. It was erected on a promontory about three-quarters of a
mile from the junction of the Walla Walla River with the Columbia.
The place was originally called Fort Nez Perce, and was first built to
protect Ogden's party of fur traders, about the year 1818. The
attack was repelled, but the necessity for a strong place became
apparent in case of future hostilities. Timber being scarce, it wan
brought from a great distance. "The wall was formed of sawed
timber, twenty feet long, two feet and a half wide, and six inches
thick, forming an enclosure two hundred feet square. Within the
walls were stores and dwellings for servants, and in the centre another
enclosure twelve feet in height, with port-holes and slip-doors, a fort
within a fort. Beside the outer gate, moved by a pulley, the entrance
was guarded by double doors, and, for further security, the natives
were not admitted within the pickets, but carried on their trade
through a small opening in the wall which was protected by a small
124 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
door. The war material consisted of four pieces of ordnance of from
one to three pounds, ten swivel guns, and a supply of muskets, pikes
and hand-grenades.
ACCOUNTS MADE UP AND CHECKED. — Fort Colville, the last
important post on the Columbia River, before leaving for the moun-
tains, was situated some distance south of the present boundary line.
At that station the accounts of the whole country were made up. The
accountants from the minor forts either came or sent their accounts
there, where they were checked and included in the general statement
for the year, to be transmitted with the annual express brigade. This
brigade left Fort Vancouver so as to reach Norway House about
the middle of March, where the great council met every summer.
It was in charge of a confidential officer. This service was conducted
for several years by Chief Factor James Douglas. A. C. Anderson
had charge of the brigade in 1842. There were several brigades
which arrived and departed regularly from Fort Vancouver. From
that fort were supplied the upper and interior posts as far as Fort
James on Stuart Lake, via Thompson River.
ANNUAL EXPEDITIONS. — Every autumn trapping and trading expe-
ditions were sent out from nearly all the principal forts, who returned
with their catch the following spring or summer. These parties
consisted of from five to thirty natives with their families ; or were
composed wholly or in part of half-breeds or white men, sometimes
under the guidance of a servant of the Company but as often alone,
and that after having procured their outfit on credit. Two of these
parties, much larger than from the minor posts, from fifty to
seventy-five men each, set out from Fort Vancouver every year, one
proceeding south ward as far as San Francisco Bay, the other eastward
toward the Flathead country and the Colorado.
RIVER COLUMBIA BARGES. — -In conveying goods or furs up or down
the Columbia, barges, each of five or six tons burden, were employed.
They were manned by six French-Canadians, sometimes called Iro-
quois, as they were generally half-breeds of the Iroquois tribe. The
barges were steered by a paddle, and both goods and the barges were
carried over the portages. For a small quantity of tobacco to each
native Indian, twenty-five of them were always willing and ready to
transfer boats and goods from one landing to the other. The tobacco
sold by the Hudson Bay Company is said to have been obtained mostly
from Brazil. It was twisted into a rope, one inch in diameter, coiled
and sold by the inch. Usually the trapper required credit, and his
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 125
ability to pay depended on his success, which risk the Company was
obliged to take. The Indians were readily trusted, the original cost
of the articles credited being so small in proportion to expected
returns, that the Company could well afford to make the venture.
CONVENTION OF 1818. — At the time when the coalition of the rival
companies was effected in 1821, a license of exclusive trade in such
Indian territory as was not included in the original charter was
granted them by the British Government for a term of twenty-one
years. This license was granted under an agreement made at a
convention signed in London, October 20, 1818, which stipulated
that any portion of the country on the north-west coast of America,
westward of the Rocky (or Stony) Mountains, shall be free and open
for the term of ten years from the date of the convention to the
subjects of the two powers . . . and is not to be construed to the
prejudice of any claim which either of the two contracting parties
(Great Britain and the United States) may have to any part of the
said country ; the only object of the high contracting parties, in that
respect, being to prevent disputes among themselves."
SUPPLEMENTARY LICENSE IN 1838. — In 1827, another convention
was signed in London, August 6th, by which the above-mentioned
provisions were extended indefinitely, subject to abrogation upon
twelve months' notice by either party ; but "shall not be construed
to impair of in any manner affect the claims which either party may
have to any part of the country westward of the Stony or Rocky
Mountains." This led to a trading license in 1838 being granted,
supplementary to the former, extending this absolute power of the
Hudson Bay Company over the whole of the region west of the
Rocky Mountains.
THE ALASKA BOUNDARY IMPRACTICABLE. — From this must, how-
ever, be excepted that portion of the North-West claimed by Russia,
the boundary of which between Great Britain and Russia is defined
by the treaty concluded in 1825, as follows :
" ARTICLE III. — The line of demarcation between the possessions
of the high contracting parties upon the coast of the Continent and
the Islands of America to the north-west, shall be drawn in the man-
ner following : Commencing from the southernmost point of the island
called Prince of Wales Island, which lies in the parallel of 54° 40'
north latitude, and between the 131st and the 133rd degree of west
longitude (meridian of Greenwich), the said line shall ascend to the
north along the channel called Portland Channel, as far as the point of
the continent where it strikes the 56th degree of north latitude ; from
126 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
this last-mentioned point the line of demarcation shall follow the
summit of the mountains situated parallel to the coast as far as the
point of intersection of the 141st degree of west longitude (of the
sa'iie meridian) ; and, finally from the said point of intersection, the
said meridian line of the 14 1st degree, in its prolongation as far as
the Frozen Ocean, shall form the limit between the Russian and
British possessions, on the Continent of America to the north-west.
—From the Report by Colonel D. R. Cameron, R.A., C.M.G., Sep-
tember, 1886.
" ARTICLE IV. — With regard to the boundary lines established in
the preceding article, it is understood that the island named Prince
of Wales belongs entirely to Russia, and that whenever the summit of
the mountains running parallel with the coast from 56th degree of
north latitude, to the point of intersection with the 141st meridian,
shall be more than ten leagues from the shore, the boundary line of the
British possessions shall run parallel with the coast line at a distance
of not greater than ten leagues, the land between such line and the
coast to belong to Russia."
The interpolation of the three words, " called Portland Channel,"
has rendered the wording of the treaty obscure and the boundary
impracticable, as described south of the 56th degree of latitude. A
joint commission of both the " high contracting parties " has been at
work for the past two years, arranging for the proper settlement of
" the line of demarcation." Their labors will likely terminate in a
convention between Great Britain and the United States. Why the
words, "called Portland Channel," should have been introduced has
not so far been understood, neither can they be reconciled with Van-
couver's survey (1793-4), on which the treaty was based, nor with
the description of the southern portion of the boundary " from the
southernmost point of Prince of Wales Island, from south to north."
The next reference on this question is a map of North America
published in Paris, dated 1815, which shows the boundary between
Great Britain and Russia was then understood to be the 56th degree
of north latitude. A Russian atlas, published in 1849, places the
boundary in Portland Canal, which it reaches by going east to
Observatory Inlet and then north.
THE " BEAVER " AND " LABOUCHERK." — An extensive trade with
Russia was subsequently carried on. In 1837, a strip along the
Alaskan coast was leased by the Russian-American Fur Company to
the Hudson Bay Company. This arrangement was not only to enable
the Company to obtain furs, but also to enable them to supply the
Russian with beef, butter, and other products and goods which were
shipped from Fort Vancouver in large quantities. The steamer
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 127
Beaver was tirst employed in the trade. Afterwards the Labouchere,
a much larger steamer, was required. Five well-armed sailing vessels
were also engaged in this service. They ranged from one hundred
to three hundred tons each.
TRADE WITH THE INTERIOR.— The former fur trade was also con-
tinued with the interior. It is surprising that such an enormous
traffic could be maintained with the natives without the use of money.
The North- West Company once established a paper currency. It
soon depreciated, and eventually went out of use. At the Red River
settlement the Hudson Bay Company circulated a paper currency in
conjunction with silver, which continued to be used there until the
Company transferred its territorial rights to the Dominion of Canada
in 1869. It may interest the reader to know how the primitive
trade was carried on.
No MONEY REQUIRED. — A beaver skin was usually made the
standard, and all other values, European merchandise as well as
other skins, were measured by it. In 1733, near Hudson Bay, a
native, for a full-grown beaver skin, could buy half a pound of beads,
or one pound of Brazil tobacco, or a half pound of thread. A gallon
of brandy cost four beaver skins ; broadcloth, two beaver skins a
yard ; blankets, six beaver skins each ; powder, one and a half
pounds, and of shot five pounds for a beaver skin ; and so on through
a long list, the quantity of goods for a beaver skin varying according
to remoteness and competition.
At the time and place last mentioned, three martens were counted
as one beaver ; one fox, one moose, two deer, one wolf, ten pounds
of feathers, one black bear, were each equivalent to one beaver. At
this time beaver skins were selling in London at five or six shillings
a pound ; marten, eight shillings each ; otter, six shillings ; bear,
sixteen shillings ; fox, from six to ten shillings ; elk, seven shillings ;
deer, two shillings ; wolf, fifteen shillings ; and wolverine, eight
shillings each.
A HUNDRED YEARS LATER we find a blanket worth ten beaver
skins ; a gun, twenty ; a worsted belt, two ; eighteen bullets, one
beaver skin. The gun cost twenty-two shillings, and the twenty
beaver skins were then worth in London, £32 10s. A gill of powder,
costing one and a halfpenny, or a scalping knife costing fourpence,
or a dozen brass buttons, were exchanged for one beaver skin worth
£1 12s. 6d. An axe sold for three skins, a tile for two, and a pair of
pantaloons costing four dollars, for nine skins worth seventy dollars.
128 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
The evidence before the House of Commons in 1857, given by Dr.
J. Rae, the Arctic explorer, who died 22nd July, 1893, says: "A
blanket was four beavers, but if you got the value of it in musk-rats
you would not have above a shilling or two profit, which would not
cover the expense. Ten rats go for a beaver. Ten rats would sell in
London, a few years ago, for about three shillings ; they are higher
now. The tariff is formed in a peculiar way, and necessarily so.
The sums given for furs do not coincide with the value of the furs
traded for with them, because the musk-rat or the less valuable furs
are paid for at a higher rate. Were the Company to pay for the
finer furs at the same rate, the Indians would hunt up the finer furs
and destroy them off, as has been done all along the frontier, and we
should then require to reduce the price for the musk-rat and the
inferior furs, and the Indians would not hunt them at all."
CHAPTER XVI.
EXPLORATIONS AND FORT BUILDING.
SUNDRY EXPEDITIONS. — Amongst the expeditions which were made
across the Rocky Mountains in the early days, that of Sir George
Simpson, in 1828, is worthy of special mention. As resident governor
of the Hudson Bay Company, he made frequent visits to the territory
of Rupert's Land and the North-West, in order to examine into the
condition of the several posts and superintend the affairs of the Com-
pany over which he presided.
On this occasion his journey was from Hudson Bay to the Pacific.
Starting from York Factory, he ascended Hayes River, passing
through what was known as the boat route to Lake Winnipeg, at the
northern end of which is Norway House. Skirting the north shore
of the lake, he passed to the Saskatchewan River, which he ascended
to Cumberland House. From this point he went northward through
the chain of lakes and streams until he reached Churchill River,
which he followed to Methage Portage — the height of land. By
Clearwater River he entered the Athabasca, following its waters to
Athabasca Lake and Peace River. He ascended Peace River,
passing through the main Rocky Mountain chain, and, with the aid
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD.
of horses, crossed the plateau, a distance of eighty -three miles, to-
Fort St. James on the east of Stuart Lake.
SIB GEORGE SIMPSON was careful on all occasions to enter the forts
he visited with his men clean and dressed in their best. He was.
accompanied by a piper, who also acted as his servant. At Fort
St. James the same ceremony was observed ; a gun was fired, the bugle
sounded, and the piper led the march. There was to be a meeting
held here of the chief officers, among whom Chief Factor James
Douglas (afterwards Sir James, governor of British Columbia) was '
present, and amid a discharge of small arms, went out to meet Sir
George. Mr. Connolly, the chief of the Pacific Department, was also
expected. He liad not arrived. Shortly after the arrival of the
governor, however, a* canoe appeared on the lake, and in twenty
minutes, amid a salute of firearms, Mr. Connolly entered the fort..
Chief Factor Archibald MacDonald, in his journal, records the
singular coincidence which then happened : ' Sir George Simpson left
Hudson Bay on July 12th ; Mr. Connolly, the Pacific on the 12th of
the same month."
KAMLOOPS AND FORT LA.NGLEY. — From Lake Stuart, Sir George?
Simpson passed along Stuart River and Fraser River to Fort
Alexandria. Horses were taken at this place and the country crossed
to Kamloops, a distance of 215 miles. At Kamloops, water naviga-
tion was resumed in a canoe with twelve men paddling. After
passing through Lake Kamloops to its outlet, they entered the Lower
Thompson, which they descended to its junction with the Fraser,
From this point they reached tide water by nearly the same route as
that which was explored by Simon Fraser twenty years earlier. They
left Kamloops early on October 6th. 1828, and reached Fort Langley,.
on the Fraser, about twenty -five miles from its mouth, on the 10th,,
the distance being 264 miles.
FROM THE ATLANTIC TO THE PACIFIC. — From York Factory, the
whole journey occupied ninety days, of which sixteen were passed at
the trading-posts ; consequently the whole time en route was seventy-
four days. One remarkable feature of this journey was the short
time in which it was made. Sir George was well known for his
rapidity of movement. Ninety miles a day was no uncommon
occurrence with him. The canoes would start at two o'clock in the
morning, with rests for breakfast, dinner, and supper. The men.
paddled until a late hour, which the long days of the northern lati-
tudes permitted, sometimes until eight or ten at night. The averages
9
130 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
distance was fifty miles a day. In some instances, seventy-five,
eighty, and even over ninety miles were covered. The journey now
recorded was made across the Continent from the tide water of the
Atlantic to the Pacific. Jt was carried out without any of the
accessories of modern locomotion, in so short a time that, if the facts
were not sustained by indisputable evidence, the record might be
considered an exaggeration.
A FORMER JOURNEY EAST. — It would appear from a work published
l»y Alexander Ross, already mentioned, that Sir George Simpson had
previously visited the Columbia. Mr. Ross states that in the spring
of 1825, in company vwith Sir George, he set out on his return to
Canada. The party followed the Columbia to the Great Bend,
known as " Boat Encampment ; " they ascended by the Athabasca
Pass to a small lake, to which the name of the "Committee's Punch
Bowl" was given. On reaching the main source of the Athabasca,
they followed the course of that river to Fort Assiniboine ; here they
changed canoes for horses, and struck south-easterly across the country
for Edmonton. At this post they remained two weeks. During
their stay a grand ball was given in honor of Governor Simpson.
The party left by a brigade of boats to float down the swift Sas-
katchewan. They halted at Fort Carlton and Cumberland House.
At the latter place they found the Franklin advance party ; farther
down the river they met Captain Franklin and Dr. Richardson on
their overland Arctic expedition. The travellers readied Lake
Winnipeg and visited Norway House, then a place of considerable
business and activity. There the traders, on their return from the
posts of the Company — from Lake Superior on the south, the Rocky
Mountains and New Caledonia on the west, and Mackenzie River on
the north — annually collected the fruits of their labor to be despatched
to York Factory on Hudson Bay.
DAVID DOUGLAS, THE BOTANIST. — Another distinguished traveller
visited I^ew Caledonia in 1825, namely, David Douglas, the cele-
brated botanist. He spent a number of years in the country, on the
Pacific coast, extending from Oregon northwards. In 1824. Mr.
Douglas started from England by sea, and reached Fort Vancouver
in April, 1825. He is mentioned by Chief Trader John McLeod, as
a fellow-traveller up the Columbia, in 1826. In that year he crossed
the Rocky Mountains, reached Hudson Bay, where he met Sir John
Franklin, and returned with him to England.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 131
THE DOUGLAS FIR. — In the autumn of 1829, Mr. Douglas again
.sailed from England for the Pacific coast of North America. Between
the date of his arrival and 1834, his explorations extended generally
through the country drained by thp Columbia and the Fraser Rivers.
The last two years of his life were devoted to scientific examinations
in British Columbia. In his travels through the country he obtained
the knowledge of many plant's, birds and mammals hitherto unknown.
His discoveries include the "Douglas Fir," which will always bear
his name. David Douglas was> born at Scone, Perthshire, Scotland,
in 1798. He was gored to death by a wild bull, in the Sandwich
Islands, July 12th, 1834.
ROBERT CAMPBELL. — The last of the explorers under the old regime
was Robert Campbell, a native of Glenlyon, Scotland. He was the
discoverer of the Pelly-Yukon, the largest river flowing into the Pacific
from the American continent. He entered the service of the Hudson
Bay Company in 1832. In 1834, he was transferred to the Mackenzie
River district. In 1838, he established a trading-post at Dease Lake,
-one of the sources of the River Liard, an important tributary of
Mackenzie River. On this occasion he passed over to Stickeen River,
which flows into the Pacific near Fort Wrangel, now well known in
connection with the " Cassiar " gold fields of British Columbia.
Soon afterwards Mr. Campbell and several of his men left Dease
Lake and crossed to the Stickeen River, and had descended it for
some distance, when they fell in with a large party of coast Indians,
who took them prisoners. They succeeded in escaping, and reached
the Indian bridge, over which they crossed, chopping it down so as to
prevent the Indians following them. A few weeks later some Indians
crossed Dease Lake and along with other Indians belonging to that
country attacked the post and pillaged it, and sent Mr. Campbell and
his people out of the country. Within a few years after, he explored
the main branch of the Liard River to its source, Lake Francis, where
he established a post. He then pushed across the height of land and
discovered the Pelly River, and established a post, calling it Pelly
Banks.
In 1840, Campbell travelled up the northern branch of the Liard.
Leaving Fort Halkett, on the latter river, in May, with seven men,
he ascended the branch several hundred miles into the mountains to
a, lake which he named Lake Francis ; and some distance farther to a
second lake, in about latitude 62° N., longitude 130° W., which he
•called Lake Finlayson. From this point he passed to the western
132 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
slope, and in two days' travel he discovered a wide stream, which he/
styled the River Pelly.
In 1843, Mr. Campbell left Lake Francis, recrossed the mountain
to Pelly River, which he descended for sorne distance. This riverf
discovered by him, proved to be identical with the Yukon, which
flows into the Pacific far north. Three hundred miles from the
sources of the Pelly, Fort Selkirk was established, and the river was
explored by Campbell seven hundred miles to Fort Yukon, which was
established in 1846 by J. Bell, of the Hudson Bay Company, 150
miles within the Alaska boundary. From Fort Yukon, situated
almost directly on the Arctic circle and about longitude 145° W., Mr.
Campbell ascended the River Porcupine to its eastern sources, and
crossed the height of land to Peel River, a small tributary of the-
Mackenzie, not far from its outlet in the Arctic Ocean. Following
the tributary to the main stream, he ascended Mackenzie River to
Fort Simpson, his starting-point at the mouth of the Liard.
In 1848, he descended the Pelly by canoe to the junction of the
Lewis River, from whence the river takes the name of Yukon. This
was the first time a white man had been at the source of this river.
In the following year he returned with a party of men and established
a post at this junction which was named Fort Selkirk. This post
was pillaged by the Chilcats in 1851. When Selkirk was p llaged,
Mr. Campbell went with two of his men back by the way of Francis
Lake and down the Liard to Fort Simpson and headquarters. When
winter set in he started on snow-shoes and walked down to Fort
Garry, about two thousand miles, and after spending two or three
days there, continued his journey on foot to Red Wing, Minn., about
forty miles below St. Paul.
Mr. CAMPBELL made a remarkable journey from the Yukon country
•to England, in 1852-3. He left White River, near the Alaskan
boundary, on September 6th ; ascended the Pelly to one of its-
sources ; crossed the mountains to a branch of the Liard, which he-
followed to Fort Simpson, arriving October 21st. Winter having set
in, he started on snow shoes to make a journey to Crow Wing, on the-
Mississippi, extending over sixteen degrees of latitude and twenty-
seven degrees of longitude. He had with him three men and a train*
of dogs; these were changed at the Hudson Bay posts on his route
as he arrived at them. His course lay by Great Slave Lake, L?ike-
Athabasca, He a la Crosse, Carlton House, Fort Pelly, Fort Garry,,
and Pembina. On March 13th, Mr. Campbell reached Crow Wing,,
where he obtained horses for the journey to Chicago.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 133
FROM CHICAGO he started eastward and arrived a,t Montreal on
April 1st, and such was his despatch that he was enabled to report
himself in London, at the Hudson Bay House, on the 18th of that
month. From his starting-point on the Pelly-Yukon, Mr. Campbell
had made a continuous journey of 9,700 miles, nearly half of which
was through an uninhabited wilderness, and of this distance some
three thousand miles were passed over in the dead of winter and
much of it walked on snow-shoes. In the annals of the Hudson Bay
Company's service, long winter journeys, under circumstances similar
to the one described, are not uncommon. Possibly the long tramps
of the intrepid Dr. Rae, in 1851, and of Admiral Sir Leopold (then
Commander McClinton) in 1853, both in connection with the
4* Franklin Search " expeditions, are to some extent comparable
with them.
He returned to the Mackenzie River, and afterwards he took
charge of the Athabasca district, and continued there until 1863,
when he was appointed to the charge of Swan River. At this place
he continued until he left the service in 1872, having been in the
employ of the company forty years.
In 1880, he removed to Strathclair, in Manitoba, where he
resided until his death, in the summer of 1894, at the advanced
age of nearly ninety years. A writer in 1889 said: "Mr. Camp-
bell is still living and enjoys excellent health on his ranch in
Manitoba. His name comes close to the end, in a long list of
-active and undaunted men, who from the days of Mackenzie traversed
the mountains and unknown wilds. It would be difficult to find their
peers in courage and endurance in any service."
DR. G. M. DAWSON, in connection with
the Geological Survey, in 1887 and '8S,
visited the field of Mr. Campbell's discov-
eries. He entered the interior from the
Pacific coast by the River Stickeen, passed
over to the Liard, and thence to the Pelly-
Yukon. He returned by the River Lewis,
to the Lynn Canal, on the coast. The
journey proved exceedingly fatiguing and
not a little perilous. His associates, Messrs.
DR. DAWSON. McConnell and Ogilvie, remained in the
•district to carry on astronomical observations and field explorations
•during the following winter and summer.
134
HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
SIR JAMES DOUGLAS.
SIR JAMES DOUGLAS. — Reference has already been made to Factor
James Douglas as having met and received Governor Simpson at Fort
St. James in 1828. The important position which he (afterward Sir
James Douglas) has occupied in the history of
British Columbia, entitles him to a special
notice. According to the best available
authority, he was born at Demarara on the
14th August, 1803. His father was a scion
of the noble Scotch family of Douglas, Earl
of Angus, and had emigrated from Scotland
to British Guiana a few years before the birth
of James, who was left an orphan at an early
age. The family soon after the mother's death
returned to Lanark, Scotland, where the sons
were educated.
When little more than twelve years of age,
young Douglas accompanied an elder brother across the Atlantic, to
push their fortunes in Canada. The rivalry between the Hudson
Bay and the North-West Companies was at that time extremely keen.
After a short interval in Montreal, engaged in office work, the lad
was entered as an apprentice clerk in the service of the North-West
Company. He formed one of a brigade to Fort William, on Lake
Superior, to be placed under Chief Factor John McLoughlin.
WAS AN APT STUDENT. — In the discharge of the duties there required
of him, he displayed great aptitude in learning, and with the short
practice he formerly had in Montreal, became well acquainted with
the French language. Hev possessed a bold and resolute spirit, and
remarkable physical strength and powers of endurance. Those quali-
tie"s were developed and strengthened, as he grew to manhood, by
the character of the arduous and varied services in which he was
engaged. He also soon began to display those rare intellectual quali-
ties of prudence, determination and executive capacity, which were
appreciated by his employer, and early marked him a born leader of
men. His business faculties and the tact he exhibited in his inter-
course with the Indians, secured his rapid advancement to posts of
increased responsibility.
After the coalition of the companies, two young men, brothers of
Douglas, in the same service, returned to Scotland, and wished James
to return with them. The chief factor, however, who remained in.
the service, and was appointed to the command of the Columbia
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 135
Department, having taken a fancy to the young man, persuaded him
to remain. McLoughlin wrote to the Company's directors in London
for permission that Douglas should accompany him there, which
request was granted.
EXPERIENCE IN NEW CALEDONIA. — Before crossing the Rocky
Mountains, Douglas1 remained in the Athabasca district until 1824,
when he went to Fort St. James, on Stuart Lake, in company with
James Connolly. McLoughlin proceeded to Fort Vancouver. His
object in leaving Douglas in the north was to give him an opportunity
of becoming familiar, in the most minute detail, with the working of
the machinery of the united companies. To this end it was necessary
that he should have experience, and first of all in New Caledonia.
From the warm friendship which existed between Mr. McLoughlin
and Douglas, the latter had all the assistance and advice which it was
possible to give him. He was already familiar with the ordinary
branches of the business, and as an accountant had no superior in
the service.
HE BUILDS FORT CONNOLLY. — Without delay, on his arrival at
Fort St. James, he set himself to study the condition of the country,
its geography, hydrography and topography, and the languages and
characteristics of the various tribes of natives with whom he would
have business dealings. During the four years which he remained in
the interior of New Caledonia, he founded several forts. One of these
was built in 18*26, on Bear Lake, at the head, of one of the branches
of Skeena River, and named Fort Connolly, in honor of James Con-
nolly, whose daughter, Nellie Connolly, a beautiful maiden of "sweet
sixteen," young Douglas, along with his other duties, found time to
" woo and win," and who in due time became his wife, and latterly
Lady Douglas.
A TRAGEDY AT FORT ST. JAMES. — Whilst at Fort St. James, a
tragedy was enacted in which Douglas acted a leading part. It is
described in a book published in 1849, by John MacLeari, who had
been in the service of the Hudson Bay Company for twenty-five years,
He states that the interpreter, named Waccan, informed him that
w^hen Fort St. James was under the command of Douglas, a native
from Fraser Lake had murdered one of the Company's servants. The
murderer concealed himself for some time, but 110 notice having been
taken of the affair, he thought there was nothing to fear, and returned
to his village. At length he was led by his evil genius to visit the
Indian village at Stuart Lake. Douglas heard of his being there,
136 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
-and though he had but a weak garrison, determined that the blood of
the white man should not be unavenged. The opportunity was
favorable, as the Indians of the village were out on a hunting excur-
sion, and the murderer was nearly alone. He proceeded to the camp,
accompanied by two of his men, and " slew " the murderer.
INDIAN STRATAGEM. — On their return in the evening the Indians
learned what had happened. A council was held, and it was decided
that they should retaliate. Aware, however, that Douglas was on
•his guard, and that the gates were shut and could not be forced, they
resolved to employ Indian stratagem. The old chief accordingly
proceeded to the fort alone, and, knocking at the gate, desired to be
•admitted, which was permitted. He immediately stated the object of
liis visit, saying a deed had been done in their village which subjected
liimself and his people to a heavy responsibility to the relatives of the
dead ; that he feared the consequences, and hoped that a present
would be made to satisfy them.
DOUGLAS OUTWITTED. — Continuing to converse thus calmly,
Douglas was led to believe that the matter could easily be arranged.
Another knock was now heard at the gate. " It is my brother," said
the chief, "you may open the gate; he told me he intended to come
-and hear what you had to say on this business." The gate was
•opened, and in rushed the whole Nekasly tribe ; the chief's brother
at their head. The men of the fort were overpowered ere they had
time to stand on their defence. Douglas, however, seized a wall-piece
that was mounted in the hall, and was about to discharge it on the
crowd that was pouring in upon him, when the chief seized him by
the arms and held him fast.
THE INTERPRETER'S WIFE. — For an instant his life was in the
utmost peril, surrounded by thirty or forty Indians ; their knives
drawn, and brandishing them over his head with frantic gestures, and
calling out to the chief : "Shall we strike 1 shall we strike ?" The
chief hesitated ; and at this critical moment the interpreter's wife
stepped forward and, by her presence of mind, saved him and the
establishment.
Observing one of the inferior chiefs, who had always professed the
greatest friendship for the whites, standing in the crowd, she
addressed herself to him, exclaiming : " What, you a friend of the
whites, and not say a word in their behalf at such a time as this !
Speak ! you know the murderer deserved to die ; according to your
own laws the deed was just; it is blood for blood. The white
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 137
men are not dogs, they love their kindred as well as you do;
why should they not avenge their murdered." The moment the
heroine's voice was heard the tumult subsided ; her boldness struck
the savages with awe. The chief she addressed, acting on her
suggestion, interfered, and being seconded by the old chief, who had
no serious intention of injuring the whites, was satisfied with
showing them they were fairly in his power. Mr. Douglas and his
men were set at liberty, and an amicable conference having taken
place, the Indians departed much elated with the issue of their
enterprise.
HAIRBREADTH ESCAPES. — The duties attached to the service in
which Douglas was engaged in the northern interior were severe and
often perilous. Once he was made captive by one of the tribes and
detained for many weeks. After enduring severe hardships, he
contrived at length to effect his escape, and succeeded in reaching one
of the Company's forts in an exhausted condition. His reappearance
was hailed with mingled delight and astonishment, for he had been
.given up for dead. His many hairbreadth escapes from death, aided
by his coolness and courage, were often marvellous.
McLouGHLix AND DOUGLAS. — In 1828vhe was transferred to Fort
Vancouver, that he might there render more immediate assistance to
his friend Mr. McLoughlin, which the increasing requirements of the
service demanded. In his new position he rose rapidly, and soon
stood second only to his chief in all New Caledonia. At this place he
had great advantages and abundance of time to become proficient in
all the minutest details of the service — not in theory alone, but in
practice. He revised and greatly improved the system of accounts,
which required all the trading-posts on the Pacific to make annual
returns to Fort Vancouver.
MADE CHIEF TRADER, ETC. — After being only a short time at Fort
Vancouver, lie was made chief trader (in 1830), and in 1833, was
appointed chief factor ; was, in fact, the chief agent for the whole
region west of the Rocky Mountains. The greater portion of his
time was now employed in selecting sites and superintending the
-establishment of trading establishments. Annual visits of inspection
were made by him to the several stations in the interior and on the
seaboard. It is recorded that " he was fast becoming famous for his
geographical and practical knowledge." In proceedings connected
with the Treaty of Washington, he was pronounced "one of the most
138 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
enterprising and inquisitive of men, famous for his intimate acquaint-
ance with every crevice on the coast."
ALASKA TREATY. — With Factors McLoughlin and Ogden at Fort
Vancouver, and Douglas, as counsellor, along with them, the business
of the Company was in a flourishing condition. In 1839, preparations
were made to proceed to Alaska to arrange a difficulty there with the
Russian Government. The Anglo-Russian Treaty of 1825, already
mentioned, provided for the free navigation of streams crossing
Russian territory in their course from the British possessions to the
ocean. Taking advantage of that proviso, the Hudson Bay Company
had pushed forward their trading-posts to the Stickeen River. In
1833, they fitted out the brig Dryad for the purpose of establishing a
permanent station on that river.
RUSSIAN FUR COMPANY. — Information of these proceedings having
been conveyed to Governor Wrangel, at Sitka, he notified the man-
agers of the Russian Fur Company, at St. Petersburg, asking them
to induce the Imperial Government to rescind the clause in the treaty
under which the British Company encroached on Russian territory.
As a further motive for this request, the governor reported that the
British Company had violated the agreement to abstain from selling
firearms and spirituous 'liquor to the natives. The Emperor granted
the petition, and the British and United States Governments were
notified of the fact. Both protested through their ministers at St.
Petersburg, but in vain ; the reply of the Russian foreign office
being that the objectionable clause would terminate in the following
year.
RUSSIAN MANOEUVRES. — Without waiting to be informed of the
success or failure of his application, Baron Wrangel despatched two
armed vessels to the mouth of the Stickeen River. There, on a small
peninsula, a fortified station was established. The fort was built on
the site of an Indian village, near the town of Wrangel. These war-
like preparations were unknown to the officials of the Hudson Bay
Company, and when the Dryad approached the mouth of the Stickeen,
the men on deck were surprised by a puff of white smoke and a loud
report from the densely wooded shore, followed by several shots from a
vessels in the offing. The brig was at once put about, but anchored
just out of range ; whereupon a boat was sent from shore, carrying
an officer who, in the name of the Governor of the Russian colonies
and the Emperor of Russia, protested against the entrance of a
British vessel into a river belonging to Russian territory. All
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 1391
appeals on the part of Hudson Bay Company's agents were ineffec-
tual. They were informed tint if they desired to save themselves,
their property and their vessel, they must weigh anchor at once.
After a brief delay, the Dryad sailed for Fort Vancouver.
CONVENTION IN 1839. — The authorities of the Hudson Bay Company
lost no time in sending reports of this affair to London, accompanied
with a statement that the loss incurred through this interference with
their project amounted to £20,000 sterling. The British Govern-
ment immediately demanded satisfaction from Russia, but the matter
was not finally settled until 1839, when a convention met in London
to settle the points of dispute between the two corporations, and in a
few weeks solved difficulties which experienced diplomatists had
failed to unravel in years. The claim of the Hudson Bay Company was
waived on the condition that the Russian CoYnpany grant a lease to
the former of all their continental territory lying between Cape
Spencer and latitude 54° 40'. The annual rental was fixed at
two thousand land-otter skins, and at the same time the Hudson Bay
Company agreed to supply the Russian colony with a large quantity
of provisions at moderate rates. The agreement gave satisfaction to
both parties. At the end of the term first agreed on, the lease was
renewed for a period of ten years, and twice afterwards for periods
of four years.
AN ARMED FLEET. — Extensive farming operations and stock-raising
were being carried on in Williamette valley by this time; settlements
were also commenced at The Dalles, Walla Walla, Clearwater and
Spokane. ' Trade and the coast service had so increased that five
vessels were required for the traffic. They were : The bark Columbia,
310 tons, 6 guns and 24 men ; the bark Vancouver, 324 tons, 6
guns, 24 men; ship Nerid, 283 tons, 10 guns, 26 men; schooner
Cadboro, 71 tons, 4 guns, 12 men; and steamer Beaver, 109 tons, 5
guns, 26 men. The Beaver was the first steamer on the Pacific
coast ; built at Blackwall, London, in 1835 ; reached the Columbia
River, round Cape Horn, as a sailing vessel, in 1836 ; had machinery
fitted in, and was in Puget Sound in 1837. This fleet being armed
and equipped for defence, constituted the Hudson Bay Company's
navy.
SETTLERS ARRIVING. — New Caledonia and the Oregon region were
as yet undivided, but the time had arrived when settlers from the
east began to come in. The boundary question between the north
and the south was agitated and discussed. The advent of settlers
140 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
was a cause of uneasiness to the Hudson Bay Company. Although
settlement was inimical to their interests as fur traders, they were
powerless to prevent it. The chief factor, McLoughlin, being a man
of humane disposition, befriended the immigrants in many instances,
and was blamed for so doing by the directors of the Company in
London. The incoming settlers to Oregon were of a class totally
different from any McLoughlin had hitherto seen. Many of them
were conscientious and honest. Most of them were pecuniarily irre-
sponsible ; too many were unreliable in their word, and some few
were downright dishonest.
BANCROFT MORALIZES. — Moralizing on the character of the two
great leaders, McLoughlin and Douglas, Bancroft says : " Douglas
would satisfy the requirements of a merciless corporation better than
McLoughlin ; for McLobghlin's duty was always on the side of
-charity, while the charity of Douglas was made subservient to duty.
In guile, McLoughlin was an infant ; in everything covert or cun-
ning he was unsophisticated. He had spent his life, or at least the
greater part of it, among responsible men whose words were single,
whose assurances signified something. They were business associates,
business brethren, strict in their dealings, slower to promise than
to perform. Thus the cold, keen world and the darkest side of
humanity had remained hidden from him. He had not found it in
the forest or the camp. In the singleness and noble purity of his
soul, he could not but believe that most men were honest ; he could
not believe that men are as bad as they are, and lie never regretted
.having befriended the unfortunate. To the end he was gentle and
tolerant, though his sensitiveness to ingratitude and wrong was often
manifest. . . . Neither Douglas nor McLoughlin ever did a base
or ignoble act ; and side by side, even as in life they were so often
found, their names shall forever stand unsullied in the annals of the
.great North- West."
FARMERS BROUGHT OUT. — For the encouragement and develop-
ment of trade as well as to hold land convenient to the trading-
posts, and to furnish supplies for the Russian Fur Company, the
settlements formerly mentioned were opened. In 1839, English and
Scotch farmers were brought from Canada, across the mountains, and
placed in most favorable places. French-Canadians and half-breeds
retiring from the service of the Company, were encouraged to settle
on those lands, which could be had free of cost. In the vicinity of
Fort Vancouver, the areas of agriculture were soon greatly enlarged,
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 141
and grist mills erected for the several grades of flour required for the-
Russian-American trade. More sheep and cattle were being driven
north from California, and swine from the Sandwich Islands were
imported. They increased rapidly. The plains near Fort Nisqually
were turned into sheep and cattle ranges, and the Puget Sound Agri-
cultural Company was inaugurated. Hence, it was not long before
wheat, flour, butter, pork and other articles in large quantities were
ready for shipment to the Russian ports on the Alaskan coast and
also on the Asiatic coast. Four barks, of eight hundred tons each,
were built in London for the exportation of the Hudson Bay
Company's produce.
THE BOUNDARY QUESTION. — In the midst of all this stir and exten-
sion of trade and traffic, the Company did not lose sight of the
approach of the partition of the territory which was inevitably drawing;
nigh. The. joint occupancy must cease ; and to be safe, it was decided
that another fort should be erected, to be used instead of Fort Van-
couver, as headquarters of the Company if necessary. If the decision.
of the Governments should be that the international boundary would
be the extension of that on the east of the Rocky Mountains, on the
49ih parallel of latitude, it would then be necessary to have the
location of the new fort north of that line, and also convenient to the
sea-going trade, as well as to accommodate the trade of the interior..
The Columbia River could no longer be used as the main artery of
travel.
DOUGLAS PROCEEDS TO SITKA. — The island of Vancouver was chosen
as the most suitable place, after careful examination by Mr. Douglas
and others. Preparations were made to have the work proceeded with
as soon as convenient. In the meantime, Mr. Douglas found it
requisite to proceed north to Sitka in connection with the lease of a
p rtion of Alaska from the Russians, to take possession of the trading
post at Stickeen River, and the building of another post on the Taku
River, all in Russian territory. A party was organized, leaving Fort
Vancouver, to proceed overland to Puget Sound, where they were to-
take the steamer Beaver. Douglas, who had been made a chief factor
in 1833, was the leader of the expedition.
A NOBLK ACT. — An incident occurred, as the party were fording
the Nisqually River, which was then swollen (April, 1840). It is
narrated by Bancroft, and illustrates the character of Douglas. He
introduces the occurrence by the remark: "There is something sub-
142 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
lime in that quality inherent in noble natures which cannot overlook
a duty, even though its performance leads to death." It appears that
Lassertes, the man foremost in crossing the river, was by some mishap
swept from his horse, and carried some distance down the river. Just
before reaching a drift of logs and debris, under and through which
the furious water was surging, threatening instant destruction to any
on whom it might once lay its grasp, he caught the end of a fallen
tree and held to it as his only hope of life. Even to those accustomed
to daily dangers, and to prompt, unflinching action whenever a
comrade needed help, the position of Lassertes was so perilous, the
destruction of whomsoever should attempt his rescue so probable, that
the bravest of these brave men drew back appalled. The air and water
were so icy cold that the limbs would be quickly benumbed, and prob-
ably render effort powerless. " Fear fell upon the company," says
Douglas in his journal " Lassertes was every moment growing weaker-
He was apparently a doomed man. The contagion weighed upon my
own mind, and I confess with shame that I felt not that cheerful
alacrity in rushing to the rescue as at other times." Douglas saw that
if he did not make the attempt no one would. It were easy enough
to hold back ; to dally ; to seek for means less venturesome than such
extreme personal peril; that man's life was not worth half as much as
his own ; no blame could by any possibility ever be attached to him
— let him go.
DOUGLAS RESCUES LASSERTES. — Douglas could not do it. His
nature was not formed that way. " Even then," he writes in his
journal, "I could not allow a fellow-creature to perish without an
effort to save him, while the inactivity of all present was an additional
incentive to redouble my own exertions. With a sensation of dread,
and almost hopeless of success, I pushed my horse with spur and whip
nearly across the river, sprung into the water, and rushed towards
the spot where the nearly exhausted sufferer was clinging, with his
head above water, to a tree that had fallen into the river. Upon
its trunk I dragged myself out on all fours, and great was our mutual
joy when I seized him firmly by the collar, and with the aid of a
canoe that arrived soon after, landed him safely on the bank, where a
blazing tire soon restored, warmth to both. And to my latest breath
may I cherish the remembrance of Lassertes' providential rescue from
a watery grave, as I could never otherwise have enjoyed tranquillity
of mind "
THE FUR-TRADJNG PERIOD. 143
RODERICK FINLAYSON. — Attached to this party another historic
name should lie mentioned — that of Roderick Finlayson. In his
•autobiography he states that he was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, in
1818. His father held a sheep and stock
farm. He left home at the age of nineteen,
sailed from Glasgow in July, 1837, reaching
New York after a passage of forty days.
Through the influence of a relative he re-
ceived an appointment as apprentice-clerk
in the Hudson Bay Company. After a
short time at the desk in the head office at
Lachine, he was detailed to a station near
Ottawa, where he remained during the
winter of 1837-38.
RODERICK F1XLAVSON. -n
YOUNG JMNLAYSON was next ordered to
join a brigade in the spring of 1838, which consisted of four large
canoes, with forty officers and men who were to proceed direct to the
Columbia district, to take possession of a portion of the Russian
territory which had been leased from the Russian Fur Company.
He describes the route travelled via Lake of the Woods, Lake Winni-
peg and Norway House. From Norway House they followed the
Nelson River to York Factory. At the depot there they remained
a fortnight, replenishing the stock and preparing for the western
portion of the journey.
ARRIVED AT VANCOUVER. — The party left York Factory under the
command of Dr. John McLoughlin, then chief factor in charge of the
Columbia district — calling at Norway House, Fort Carlton, tfort
Pitt and Edmonton, on the Saskatchewan. At Fort Edmonton they
left the boats and took horses across to Fort Assiniboine on the
Athabasca River, where they again took boats and worked mostly by
poling a steep ascent up the river to Jasper House ; then again took
horses to Boat Encampment, at the great bend of the Columbia River.
Boats were here ready, and calling at the various stations along the
Columbia River, the party arrived at Fort Vancouver in November.
IN CHARGE OF MILLS. — Shortly after his arrival Finlayson was
placed in charge of the grist and saw mill about five miles up the
river from the fort, where he had a gang of twenty men to look after.
From the saw mill were shipped lumber and spars to the Sandwich
Islands. At this work he remained until the spring of 1840, when
he was ordered to join the party under Chief Factor Douglas, who on
144 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
going north at that time rescued the man Lassertes from drowning,
At the head of Puget Sound they found the steamer Beaver, Captain-
McNeill, in waiting. On the way north they called at Fort Langley
on Fraser River. That fort had recently been destroyed by firer
which was unfortunate, as a supply of salted provisions were expected
to have been obtained there. Fort McLoughlin, at Milbank Sound,.
was visited, and also Fort Simpson, at each of which places furs,
potatoes, cord wood, etc., were secured.
FORT STICKEEN TAKEN POSSESSION OF. — From Fort Simpson they
proceeded to the mouth of Stickeen River, where according to previous
arrangement they received possession of the fort there, which was
evacuated by the Russians on their arrival, and the British flag
hoisted. After matters were all satisfactorily arranged, Factor Douglas
left eighteen men and an officer in charge, and proceeded along with
the rest of the party to Sitka. There they were most cordially
received by the Russian governor, Etholin. A salute of nine guns
was fired by the Russian vessels in the harbor, which, says Finlaysonr
"the Beaver returned in grand style."
DOUGLAS AT SITKA. — Factor Douglas remained at Sitka ten daysr
during which time he settled various matters relative to the future
trade of the coast with the Russians and with the native tribes.
When leaving for the gulf and River Taku, a parting salute was given
and returned. A new fort was to be erected and a site selected on
the Taku. After considerable searching a place was found about fifty
miles up the river and a fort built, which was named Fort Durham
in honor of Lord Durham, then Governor-General of Canada.
FORT TAKU BUILT. — As soon as the new fort was put in a proper
state of defence, with bastions, etc., a party consisting of eighteen
men and two officers was placed in charge. Roderick Finlayson was
second in command. Before leaving Taku River, the Beaver, with
Factor Douglas, made several cruises to the neighboring inlets to
examine and understand more thoroughly the position and temper of
the natives, who were inclined to be troublesome. The Beaver then
returned to Nisqually, calling at the various landing-places, and
trading from the deck of the vessel, as was customary where no posts
were established
NARROW ESCAPE OF FINLAYSON. — Roderick Finlayson describes the
location of the new fort as being "as dismal a place as could possibly
be imagined. The journal kept showed rain and snow for nine
months out of the twelve. Trade was opened with the natives, but
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 145
being fierce and treacherous, only one at a time was allowed to
enter the gate of the fort. An incident occurred not long after
the establishment of Fort Durham which might have terminated
fatally with Finlayson. He relates that a few years previously, a
vessel from Boston came to trade in the neighborhood, and had a
quarrel with the natives, in which a large number of them were killed.
According to the Indian law of revenge, the natives agreed among
themselves to capture the fort and murder all the inmates. With
this view a party of warriors one day arrived, and one of them partly
forced his way through the gate, against the gate-keeper, who was a
Kanaka, or Sandwich Islander. Finlayson came to assist, and
succeeded in driving the Indian out, but in doing so was struck a
heavy blow with a bludgeon by another Indian. In the heat of the
affray Finlayson went outside the gate, arid was immediately seized
by a party of the savages who were hiding close by, and forced a
distance from the gate. He called to his men inside to open blank
cartridge to frighten them. In the meantime Finlayson managed to
get his back against a tree, and drawing his pistols, kept them at bay
until he gained the fort. For several days the fort was besieged, but
the natives finding trade suspended came to a parley, when it was
explained that the man whom they had injured was not a Boston man,
and that they should pay an indemnity for the outrage. A large
bundle of furs was brought and accepted. Peace was declared and
trade resumed. Dr. Kennedy was in charge of the fort at the time
when the contretemps took place^
'The Beaver returned to Puget Sound, trading with the natives
at the various villages en route. Factor Douglas was then of
opinion that the business along the coast could be more profitably
carried on by itinerant visits than by continuing the established forts.
This view was apparently concurred in by Governor Simpson, who
arrived at Fort Vancouver in August, 1841, on his memorable
journey around the world, overland. The( Governor-in-Chief of the
Hudson Bay Company, in the work which describes the journey, gives
a minute description of the tour, which partook of a visit of inspec-
tion of the trading-posts of the Company stationed along his route.
Governor Simpson and party remained a week at Fort Vancouver
before proceeding north to Sitka. Commodore Wilkes was then at
the Fort in command of the United States exploring squadron.
10
146 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
CHAPTEE XVII.
PARTICULARS OF THE JOURNEY.
Reference may be made here to Sir George Simpson's visit to
British Columbia, in connection with his memorable journey round
the world, in 1841-42. He left England on March 3rd, 1841, and,
landing at Boston, made his way to Montreal. His outfit was com-
pleted at Lachine, the headquarters of the Hudson Bay Company in
Canada. The expedition started from that village on 4th May;
on the 16th of the month the party arrived at Sault Ste. Marie.
After some detention by ice on Lake Superior, Sir George reached
Thunder Bay, and ascended by the Kaministiqua to the height of land.
He traversed the chain of lakes and rivers to the Lake of the Woods,
and arrived at Fort Alexander, near the mouth of River Winnipeg,
on June 8th. On the third day following, Sir George Simpson was
at Fort Garry, having accomplished the journey of two thousand
miles in thirty-eight days.
There was an ordinary trail from Fort Garry to Fort Edmonton.
It passed from point to point across the prairie, and was used by the
Red River carts for the transportation of merchandise. It was not
always in good condition, but was easily followed along the banks of
the Assiniboine to Fort Ellice, thence to Fort Carlton, Fort Pitt and
Edmonton. On July 23rd, Sir George left Edmonton, taking a
south-western course. He crossed Battle River, Red Deer River
and Bow River. Ascending by a tributary of the latter, he gained
the height of land at the Kananaskis Pass, in about 50° 30' latitude.
Descending a tributary of the Kootenay to the main river of that
name, the party directed its course to Kulispelm Lake, the source of
the Pend d'Oreille River, which was followed to the Columbia.
Reaching Fort Colville, Sir George writes : l£ Here terminated a
long and laborious journey of nearly two thousand miles on horse-
back, across plains, mountains, rivers and forests. For six weeks
and five days we had been constantly riding, or at least as constantly
as the strength of our horses would allow, from eariy dawn to sunset,
and we had, on an average, been in the saddle about seven hours and
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 147
a half a day. From Red River to Edmonton, one day's work with
another amounted to about fifty miles, but from Edmonton to Colville
we, more generally than otherwise, fell short of forty."
From Fort Colville the Columbia was descended by canoe. The
travellers passed the Company's post at Okanagan and reached Fort
Vancouver.
INTERESTING VISITS. — Whilst at Fort Vancouver, Governor Simpson
and party visited the Company's dairy, which was located on an
island or delta, fifteen miles long by seven miles wide, formed by a
branch of the Williamette River. At the dairy they found about
A hundred milch cows, which were said to yield, on an average, about
sixty pounds of butter each in a year. There were also two or
three hundred cattle left, merely with a view to breeding, to roam
about at will. They next cr.ossed the River Columbia and ascended
the Cowlitz River in a large bateau, with a crew of ten men. " The
ere**," Governor Simpson remarks, " was as curious a muster of races
-and languages as perhaps had ever congregated within the same com-
pass in any part of the world. There were Iroquois, who spoke in
their own tongue ; a Cree half-breed, of French origin, who appeared
to have borrowed his dialect from both his parents; a north Briton,
who only understood the Gaelic of his native hills ; Canadians who,
of course, knew French ; and Sandwich Islanders, who jabbered a
medley of Chinook, English, and their own vernacular jargon. Add
to all this that the passengers were natives of England, Scotland,
Russia, Canada, and the Hudson Bay Company's territories, and you
have the prettiest congress of nations, the nicest confusion of tongues
that has ever taken place since the days of the Tower of Babel." He
further remarks that when he " descended the Cowlitz in 1828, there
was a large population along its banks ; but since then the intermittent
fever, which commenced its ravages in the following year, had left
but few to mourn for those that fell."
PUGET SOUND FARMS. — At the landing-place, about sixty miles
from Puget Sound, Mr. Douglas had procured horses from the Cowlitz
farm, ten miles distant, ready to convey the party to Puget Sound.
"\Yhen this tract had been explored, a few years previously, the
Company established two farms upon it, which were subsequently
transferred to the Puget Sound Agricultural Association, formed
under the Company's auspices, with a view to producing wheat, wool,
hides and tallow for exportation. On the Cowlitz farm there were
already about a thousand acres of land under the plough, besides a
148 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
large dairy, an extensive park for horses, etc. The crops that season
amounted to 8,000 or 9,000 bushels of wheat, 4,000 of oats, with due
proportions of barley, potatoes, etc. The other farm was on the-
shores of Puget Sound ; and as its soil was found better fitted for
pasturage than tillage, it had been appropriated almost exclusively
to the flocks and herds, so that then with only 200 acres of cultivated
land, it possessed 6,000 sheep, 1,200 cattle, besides horses, pigs, etc.
NORTH TO FORT SIMPSON AND STICKEEX. — After a visit of about
a week at Fort Vancouver, on the 6th of September, the party,
including Factor Douglas, embarked at Nisqually on board the
Beaver for Sitka. They took wood and water near Point Douglas,
where there was a large camp of about a thousand savages, inhabi-
tants of Vancouver Island, who, Governor Simpson states, periodically
crossed the gulf to Fraser River for the purpose of fishing. A great
number of canoes assisted in bringing over the wood and water from
the shore. Some of the canoes were paddled entirely by young girls
of remarkably interesting and comely appearance. The people offered
salmon, potatoes, berries and shell-fish for sale. Continuing north-
ward, the Beaver passed several villages, and was successful in trading.
Before leaving the northern end of Vancouver Island, furs were
secured to the value of about five hundred pounds sterling, consisting
of martens, racoons, beavers, bears, lynxes, and both kinds of otters.
They were paid for in blankets, tobacco, vermilion, tiles, knives, a
small quantity of cloth, and two guns. The governor and party visited
and inspected Fort McLoughlin, and passing through Milbank Sound,
reached Fort Simpson in due time. This fort was originally built at
the mouth of the Naas River. It was then a vast resort of Indians-
of various tribes, amounting to about fourteen thousand. Fort
Stickeen was next reached, and the party warmly welcomed by Mr.
McLoughlin, Jun. Between 4,000 and 5,000 Indians, young and old,
were then depending on that fort for supplies. Fort Taku or " Fort
Durham " was also visited. At this time the governor learned of
Finlayson the difficulty with the Indians. The party remained there-
nearly four days weather-bound. Fully one-third of the population
on that coast were then held as slaves by the tribes, having been
taken in war, but some of them were born to continue in slavery.
They were treated by their owners with the most wanton cruelty.
WELCOME TO SITKA. — On reaching Sitka harbor, the party found
there five sailing vessels, ranging between two hundred and three
hundred and fifty tons, besides a large bark in the offing in tow of a.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 149
steamer, which proved to be the Alexander, from Ochotsk, bringing
a 'vices from Petersburg down to the end of April. Before coming
to an anchor, an officer came off, conveying Governor Etholin's com-
pliments and welcome. Salutes being; exchanged, Governor Simpson
and Mr. Douglas were accompanied by the officer to His Excellency's
residence, situated on the top of a rock. They only paid a compli-
mentary call, and returned to the steamer for the night.
VISIT OF GOVERNOR ETHOLIN. — Next morning, Governor Etholin,
in full uniform, came on board in his gig, manned by six oars and a
•coxswain, and was received with a salute. After a short visit, he
returned to the fort accompanied by Governor Simpson and Mr.
Douglas — the fort and the Beaver exchanging salutes simultaneously.
The visitors then had the honor of being introduced to Madame
Etholin, a native of Helsin<>fors, in Finland. Says Governor Simpson,
"this pretty and lady-like woman had come to this, her secluded
home, from the farthest extremity of the Empire."
IMMENSE TRADE. — A very large trade was carried on between the
Hudson Bay Company and the Russian- American Company, of which
Sitka was the principal depot. At the time of Governor Simpson's
visit, the operations of the Company were becoming more extensive
than they had previously been. Their exclusive license had been
extended for a further term of twenty years ; the direction was about
to be remodeled, and generally an improved order of things was in
progress. The return of their trade is given at 10,000 fur seals,
1,000 seal-otters, 12,000 beaver, 2,500 land-otters, and 20,000 sea-
horse teeth.
FUR SEALS. — Governor Simpson's remarks on the fur seal will
doubtless be interesting at the present time. His views are sound
and appropriate. He says :
" Some twenty or thirty years ago (1810 or 1820), there was a most
wasteful destruction of the fur seal, when young and old, male and
female, were indiscriminately knocked on the head. This imprudence,
as anyone might have expected, proved detrimental in two ways. The
race was almost extirpated, and the market was glutted to such a
degree, at the rate for some time of 200,000 skins a year, that the
prices did not even pay the expenses of carriage. The Russians,,
however, have now adopted nearly the same plan as the Hudson Bay
Company pursues in recruiting any of its exhausted districts, killing
only a limited number of such males as have attained their full
growth, on a plan peculiarly applicable to the fur seal, inasmuch as
its habits render the system of husbanding the stock as easy and
certain as that of destroying it.
150 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
" In the month of May, with something like the regularity of an
almanac, the fur seals make their appearance at the island of St. Paul,
one of the Aleutian group. Each old male brings a herd of females,
under his protection, varying in number, according to his size and
strength ; the weaker brethren are obliged to content themselves
with half a dozen wives, while some of the sturdier and fiercer fellows
preside over harems that are two hundred strong. From the date of
their arrival in May to that of their departure in October, the whole
of them are principally ashore on the beach. The females go down
to the sea, once or twice a day ; while the male, morning, noon and
night, watches his charge with the utmost jealousy, postponing even
the pleasures of eating and drinking and sleeping to the duty of
keeping his favorites together.
" If any young gallant venture by stealth to approach any senior
chief's bevy of beauties, he generally atones for his impudence with
his life, being torn to pieces by the old fellow ; and such of the fair
ones as may have given the intruder any encouragement are pretty
sure to catch it in the shape of some secondary punishment. The
ladies are in the straw, about a fortnight after they arrive at St.
Paul's ; about two or three weeks afterwards, they lay the single
fpundation, being all that is necessary of next season's proceedings ;
and the remainder of their sojourn they devote exclusively to the
rearing of their young.
" At last the whole band departs, no one knows whither. The
mode of capture is this : at the proper time, the whole are driven
like a flock of sheep, to the establishment, which is about a mile
distant from the sea; and there the males of four years, with the
exception of a few that are left to keep up the breed, are separated
from the rest and killed. In the days of promiscuous massacre, such
of the mothers as lost their pups would ever and anon return to the
establishment, absolutely harrowing up the sympathies of the wives
and daughters of the hunters, accustomed as they were to such scenes,,
with their doleful lamentations.
"The fur seal attains the age of fifteen or twenty years, but not
more. The females do not bring forth young till they are five years
old. The hunters have frequently marked their ears each season,
and many of the animals have been notched this way ten times, but
very few of them oftener. Under the present system the fur seals
are increasing rapidly in number. Previously to its introduction, the
annual hunts have dwindled down to three or four thousand. They
have now gradually got up to thrice that amount, and they are likely
soon to equal the full demand of the Russian market, not exceeding
thirty thousand skins.
" Latterly the sea-otters have again begun to be more numerous on
the north-west coast, between latitude 60° and 65° on the Aleutian
and Kurile Islands, and on the shores of Kamschatka. To the south
of the parallel of 60°, they have become pretty nearly extinct. In
California in particular, where they were once extremely numerous,
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 151
they were destroyed with unusual facility, inasmuch as they were
generally found in the bay of San Francisco and other inlets, whereas
to the northward they delighted in the most exposed situations so as
to render the pursuit of them a service of danger.
" It was the lamented Cook, or rather his crews after his death,
that introduced the sea-otter into the civilized world. Though from
1788 to 1795, the British shared in the fur trade which their country-
men thus opened, yet from the latter date to 1828, the Russians and
the United States (Bostons) between them monopolized nearly the
whole of it. Since 1828, however, the Hudson Bay Company came
with energy on the coast ; and now while the Russians confine them-
selves to their own territory, not a single United States vessel is
engaged in the branch of commerce in question."
TEETOTALISM. — Another subject of importance occupied the atten-
tion of the governors, namely, the use of intoxicating liquors in
trading with the Indians. The Russians had been in the habit of
allowing it to be used as a medium of traffic. In the neighboring
posts the Hudson Bay Company were in a manner obliged also to
permit its use. It was suggested to Governor Etholin, and promptly
acceded to by him, that on or before the last day of the year 1843,
both companies should entirely abandon the practice of trading
with the savages in spirituous liquors. They would have fixed an
earlier limit, had it not been considered necessary that the estab-
lishments would meanwhile require to be strengthened, in order to
provide against the possibility of any consequent outrages among
the involuntary "teetotalers" of the coast.
PERMISSION TO MARRY. — The party commenced their return trip to
Fort Vancouver on September 13th, calling at Stickeen, where four-
teen or fifteen of the employes there asked permission to take native
wives. " Leave to accept the worthless bargains," says Governor
Simpson, " was granted to all such as had the means of supporting a
family. These matrimonial connections are a heavy tax on a post
in consequence of the increased demand for provisions, but form, at
the same time, a useful link between the traders and the savages."
Calling at the various trading-posts along the route, and halting to
trade at convenient places, the party reached Nisqually on the 18th
of October.
CHANGE OF HEADQUARTERS.— Whilst at Fort Vancouver, during
November and the latter part of October, there was ample time for
the Governor-in-Chief and Chief Factors McLoughlin, Ogden and
Douglas to discuss the affairs of the Company. It was then arranged
to establish a new fort on the southern coast of Vancouver Island,
152 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
and make that headquarters instead of Fort Vancouver, should the
boundary line be run on parallel 49° as was surmised. Douglas was
instructed to make the requisite examination of the locality and com-
plete the arrangements. The governor was fully acquainted with the
details of the vast trade which had grown up to the west of the Rocky
Mountains. He had visited the neighboring settlements, and saw
the encroachments which the colonists from the east were making, and
the changes which must take place in the fur trade by their advent.
FORT VANCOUVER DESCRIBED. — The Company's grand depot (Fort
Vancouver) west of the Rocky Mountains, Governor Simpson describes
as " situated about ninety miles from the sea, the Columbia in front
of it being about one mile in width. Within an oblong enclosure of
upwards of six hundred feet by two hundred, which is surrounded by
pickets, there are contained several houses, stores, magazines,
granaries, work-shops, etc., while the dwellings of the servants, the
stables, the hospital, etc., form a little village on the outside of the
walls. The people of the establishment, besides officers and native
laborers, vary in number, according to the season of the year, from
one hundred and thirty to two hundred. They consist of Canadians,
Sandwich Islanders, Europeans and half-breeds, and among them are
agriculturalists, voyagers, blacksmiths, tinsmiths, carpenters, masons,
tailors, shoemakers, etc. Their weekly rations are usually twenty-
one pounds of salted salmon and one bushel of potatoes for each man ;
and in addition to fish, also venison and wild fowl, with occasionally
a little beef and pork.
THE RISING GENERATION. — "Most of the men are married to
aboriginal or half-breed women ; and the swarms of children in the
little village already mentioned, present a strongly suggestive
contrast with the scantiness of the rising generation in almost every
native village on the Lower Columbia. Amid so large a population,
the surgeon of the establishment finds ample employment ; to the
hospital, already mentioned, the most serious cases are removed,
seldom exceeding eight or ten in number, and generally consisting of
fevers, fractures and neglected syphilis.
LARGK FARMS IN 1841. — "The farm of Fort Vancouver contains
upwards of twelve hundred acres under cultivation, which have this
year (1841) produced four thousand bushels of wheat, three thousand
five hundred of barley, oats and pease, and a very large quantity of
potatoes and other vegetables. The wheat, which has yielded ten
returns, is of very fine quality, weighing from 65 to 68J Ibs. per
THE FUR-TKADING PERIOD. 153
bushel. There are, moreover, fifteen hundred sheep, and between
four and five hundred head of cattle."
WILLIAMETTE SETTLEMENT. — At the time of Governor Simpson's
visit, the Wilhamette settlement extended from the Falls for a
considerable distance up both banks of the stream, containing about
.a hundred and twenty farms, varying in size from a hundred to five
hundred acres each. The produce that season was about thirty-five
thousand bushels of excellent wheat, with due proportion of oats,
barley, pease, potatoes, etc. The cattle were three thousand, the
horses two thousand five hundred, and the hogs an indefinite
multitude.
SUPPLIES FROM THE HUDSON BAY COMPANY. — The settlement was
begun about the year 1839, under the auspices of the Hudson Bay
Company, as a retreat for its retiring servants. These were
principally French-Canadians, with their half breed families ; there
were, in 1841, sixty-five new settlers from the United States, most of
them with wives and children. The whole population, therefore,
-amounted to about five hundred souls, besides about a thousand
natives of all ages, who had been domesticated as agricultural
servants. Of wheat, the Company purchased from the settlers that
year four thousand bushels ; and from the Company every settler
received his supplies of imported goods at prices not much higher
than those paid by their own servants.
GOVERNOR SIMPSON RESUMES His JOURNEY. — On the 30th of
November, Governor Simpson left Fort Vancouver to proceed on his
journey around the world. The bark Cowlitz was in readiness to
convey him first to California, then. to the Sandwich Islands, and
thence back to Sitka. From Sitka he was to sail for Russia in
Europe, and to St. Petersburg and London. On embarking on the
Cowlitz, Governor Simpson moralizing, says: "Hitherto I had, with
few exceptions, traversed scenes which, to say nothing of their
comparative barrenness of interest, were either in themselves familiar
to me or differed only in degree from such as were so. But from
Astoria my every step would impart the zest of novelty to objects
essentially attractive and important. In California I had before me
a fragment of the grandest of colonial empires ; in the Sandwich
Islands I was to contemplate the noblest of all triumphs, the slow
but sure victory of the highest civilization over the lowest barbarism ;
and to Russia I looked forward with the peculiar feelings of an
Englishman, as the only possible rival of his country in the extent
and variety of moral and political influence."
154 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
CHAPTEK XVIII.
FORT CAMOSUN (VICTORIA) SELECTED.
THE NEW SITE DECIDED. — Factor Douglas, in the early summer of
1842, made a careful preliminary survey of the southern end of
Vancouver Island, and found that a more suitable place for the new
fort could not be found on the coast. He reported favorably on the
site and surroundings, including Esquimalt, which he said was one of
the best harbors on the coast. The report was submitted by Douglas
on his return to Fort Vancouver in July, and after due consideration
by the factors and traders there assembled, it was decided to commence
operations at that point as early as practicable the following spring.
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. — In the meantime Governor Simpson had
completed his visit to the Sandwich Islands and left there for Sitkar
where he arrived April 16th. He recounts his journey for the past
tive months from London, and says : " I have threaded my way
round nearly half the globe, traversing about two hundred and
twenty degrees of longitude and upwards of a hundred of latitude ;
and in this circuitous course I have spent more than a year, fully
three-fourths on the land and barely one-fourth on the ocean."
FLAGS HALF-MAST. — As the vessel in which he was to proceed tc-
Ochotsk would not sail for two or three weeks after the time
expected, he determined to visit Forts Taku and Stickeen. On
arriving at Fort Taku he noticed the two national flags — the Russian
and the British — -hoisted at half-mast high, and on landing was
informed of the tragic end of Mr. John McLoughlin, jun., the
gentleman recently in charge. On the night of the 20th, a dispute
had arisen in the fort, while some of the men were in a state of
intoxication. Several shots were tired, by one of which McLoughlin
fell. The fort was thus deprived of its leader. There were about
two thousand savages assembled near by, so the arrival of Governor.
Simpson at that time, with two vessels, was fortunate, as the
garrison was in a state of insubordination. If the fort which the
natives had proposed to attack had fallen, not only would the whites,
twenty-two in number, have been destroyed, but the stock of
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 155
ammunition and stores would have made the captors dangerous to
the other establishments on the coast.
FUTURE GOOD BEHAVIOR. — A council was called, at which four
leading chiefs appeared. An explanation of their intentions was
demanded. They repudiated any design on the establishment on
their own part; they admitted, however, that an attack on the fort
had been recommended by some rash youths, but had been opposed
by the older and wiser heads. Governor Simpson, while congratu-
lating them on not having committed any overt act of hostility,
pointed out that had they done so they would have been most
severely punished, both by the Russians and by the Company. They
promised that in future they would so conduct themselves that they
and their people would not only merit the approbation of the
Company, but would be security against any attacks on the part of
the neighboring tribes.
AN INDIAN STABBED. — An Indian brawl was witnessed by the
Russian governor and Governor Simpson from the fort in the village
below, which resulted in one of the natives stabbing the other through
the lungs with his dagger. About a thousand savages turned out
with horrible yells to revenge the death. Governor Etholin, on the
battery, endeavored in vain to appease the fury of the mob ; happily,
the approach of night prevented civil war. Nexjb day two slaves
were killed to atone for the death of the Indian who was slain.
No MORE RUM. — As this scene of violence and the recent tragedy
at Stickeen were clearly the result of drinking to intoxication, both
Governor Etholin and Governor Simpson then determined, on behalf
of their respective companies, to discontinue the use of intoxicating
or spirituous liquors in trading with the natives. The agreement
formerly alluded to was entered into to that effect, to come into
operation at Sitka from the date of signature, and at every other
post from the day on which it might become known. The treaty at
Sitka was immediately put to the test. In order to drown all
remains of former animosity, the savage combatants made applica-
tion, as a matter of course, without delay for another supply of rum.
No doubt the miserable creatures were greatly astonished to find that
without their consent they had been made to take the pledge of total
and perpetual abstinence. They retired in sullen silence, and doubt-
less many a grave council was held on the north-west coast to devise
means of removing the obnoxious restriction. Governor Simpson
left Sitka on the 9th of May for Oohotsk. The voyage occupied
forty-four days.
156 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
The year 1843 is a semi-centennial mark in the history of British
•Columbia. In that year the Hudson Bay Company's fort, Camosun,
afterwards named Victoria, was built, and formed the basis of the
present capital of the Province. Just fifty years prior to that time,
in 1793, Alexander Mackenzie led his memorable expedition across
the Continent to the Pacific coast, by way of Peace River, through an
unknown country amongst tierce savages who had never befoie seen
a, white man. The celebrated Captain Vancouver in that year com-
pleted some of his most important surveys on the north-west coast,
a portion of which has since formed the basis of the Alaska bound-
ary question. In 1893, the centenary of Sir Alexander Mackenzie's
great achievement was celebrated in the city of Victoria, as already
referred to, and his portrait painted and placed in the Pioneers' Hall,
to be transferred to the Provincial Parliament Buildings now in
course of erection. The Sir William Wallace Society, of Victoria,
took a leading part in the centennial celebration and in having the
portrait completed.
A GLIMPSE OF CAMOSUN. — It having been decided to locate a new
fort on the southern end of Vancouver Island, an expedition of some
fifteen men was ready on the 1st of March, 1843, to leave Fort Van-
couver, under command of Factor Douglas. They remained at the
Cowlitz farm and Nisqually for a week, obtaining supplies, which
were placed on board the Beaver, which awaited them. They left for
the north on the 13th, and anchored next day opposite that which is
now the outer harbor. " The view landwards was enchanting. Before
them lay a vast body of land upon which no white man then stood.
Not a human habitation was in sight ; not a beast, scarcely a bird.
Even the gentle murmur of the voiceless wood was drowned by the
gentle beating of the surf upon the shore. There was something
specially charming, bewitching in the place. Though wholly natural,
it did not seem so. It was not at all like pure art, but it was as
though nature and art had combined to map and make one of the
most pleasing prospects in the world.
THE ISLAND LANDWARDS. — "So park-like in appearance was the
region round and back of the harbor that the European first landing
would scarcely have manifested surprise had he encountered work-
men, who, while subduing that which was evil or ungainly, were yet
subordinating art to nature, and striving with their artificial changes
still to preserve nature's beauties. The fertile vales, warm groves,
and glassy slopes of the rolling plateau were intersected by serpentine
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 157
ribbons of glistening water, and bound round by rocks as smooth and
symmetrical as if placed there by design. These gave the ground a
substantial air and a warning to the encroaching sea, as if progress
had specially prepared the place and the foundations of civilization
were there already laid.
THE OLYMPIAN HEIGHTS HEAVENWARDS. — "Never danced clearer,,
purer water in the sunlight than that which rippled in the coves and
bays around ; and the Olympian Heights from this standpoint, with
the glistening water for a foreground and cloud-cut midway above
their base, as they often are, seemed translated heavenwards. Never
were mountains more aptly named than those by the early explorer
Meares ; and if there be anywhere a spot on which an American
Jove might fitly hold his court, it is on these high, uplifted hills,
their base resting on clouds, and their white tops bathed in celestial
glory."
A FORTIFIED VILLAGE. — The village of the natives — the Songhies
— was not visible from the vessel at anchor. It was situated on the
western side of the entrance to the harbor and about a mile distant.
They also had a fortified place within stakes, enclosing an area of
about one hundred and fifty feet square at the head of the
harbor. This was to protect them from the fierce Cowichins, who
had a habit of creeping down the strait stealthily in their canoes,
entering villages at night, massacring the men and carrying the
women and children into slavery.
FIRST SALUTE. — Soon after the Beaver came to anchor, two canoes
were seen. On the discharge of a cannon a swarrn of savages
appeared on the bank, confusedly moving hither and thither like the
disturbed inhabitants of an ant-hill. No work was attempted to be
done that day. The night passed quietly. The following morning a
swarm of canoes surrounded the steamer.
MR, DOUGLAS SET OUT EARLY on the 15th of March to select a
site for the fort and to procure timber for the building. On the shore
directly opposite the anchorage, the trees were short, crooked and
not at all suitable. He was anxious to secure straight cedar trees as
being most desirable for pickets, being lighter and more durable
under ground. These had to be brought from some distance.
FATHER BOLDUC. — Along with the expedition, according to Bancroft,
came a Jesuit missionary, J. B. Z. Bolduc, who claimed to have been
the first priest to set foot on Vancouver Island. On the same day
that Douglas landed, Father Bolduc accompanied him to where the
158 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
savages had congregated up the channel. There, it is recorded
by the historian, "the priest was immediately embraced by six
hundred souls, which number swelled to twelve hundred before his
departure. Men, women and children all must touch the hem
of his garment, all must shake hands with him and absorb in
their being some of that divine afflatus that flows from the Lord's
anointed."
MASS WAS CELEBRATED on the 19th. A rustic chapel was impro-
vised— a boat's awning serving as a canopy, with branches of fir
trees enclosing the sides. A great gathering was there — Songhies,
Clallams and Cowichins. On the 24th, Father Bolduc purchased a
canoe, and was conveyed by Chief Tsilaltchach and ten warriors to
Whidbey Island. Next day and the following day he is said to have
shaken hands with over one thousand natives, chiefly Skagits. They
erected for him a building as a church, twenty-five feet by twenty-
eight, of logs which they cut within two days. The building was
lined inside with mats and covered with cedar bark. On the 3rd of
April the missionary left them, returning to Nisqually, naively remark-
ing, "that, although the heathen hereabouts gladly received the Word,
he was not sure they fully comprehended it ; for when he attempted
to reform their morals they straightway relapsed into indifference."
NATIVE HELPERS. — Factor Douglas having determined on a site,
put his men to work, cutting and squaring timber, and six of them
at digging a well. He explained to the natives, who had assembled
in considerable numbers, "that he had come to build among them,
and to bring them arms and implements, clothing and beautiful
ornaments, which they might have for skins. Whereat they were
greatly pleased, and eagerly pressed their assistance upon the fort-
builders, who were glad to employ them at the rate of one blanket
for every forty pickets they would bring. The pickets were to be
twenty-two feet Jong and three feet in circumference. Axes were
furnished, but to be returned."
MEN FROM THE NORTH. — Having commenced the new fort, Mr.
Douglas went north on the Beaver, trading along the coast as he
went, to close Forts Taku, Stickeen and McLoughlin. This he accom-
plished, taking Mr. Roderick Finlayson from Fort Simpson and
replacing him by another officer ; Fort Simpson was allowed to remain
intact as the headquarters of the northern interior, which position
it yet continues to hold. Mr4 Charles Ross was in charge at Fort
McLoughlin before it was abandoned, as above mentioned.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 159
THE RETURN PARTY, numbering about thirty-five, arrived from the
north on the 1st of June, with the stores, etc., from the abandoned
posts. Not much progress had been made in building since the
departure of the Beaver. The stores were yet without shelter on the
shore, but rapid progress was made after the reinforcements from the
north. Buildings begun were soon completed, the goods were all
landed and stored in them ; the men protecting themselves the best
way they could until other buildings were ready for their accom-
modation.
ARRIVAL OF NATIVES. — From the neighboring islands and along
the coast, and from the mainland the natives nocked in to see the
work which was being carried on. They camped near the new fort,
and were all well armed; but, being without their wives and children,
were looked upon with suspicion by the party engaged in building
and were closely watched. The Hudson Bay Company's force then
.at Camosun numbered about fifty men, all trained to the use of arms
and active, and constantly on their guard against surprises. The
natives did not attempt any attack, but contented themselves with
pilfering, which seemed to come natural to them.
EXPEDITIOUS WORK. — Three months after the arrival of the parties
from the north, the stockade, with bastions at the angles, and store
and dwelling-houses within, was completed. The schooner Cadboro
arrived with supplies and goods from Fort Vancouver. Charles Ross,
the senior officer in charge of Fort McLoughlin at the time of its
abandonment, was placed in command, with Roderick Finlayson as
second. Mr. Douglas announced the new establishment capable of
self-defence, and departed with the Beaver and the Cadboro and their
men in October, amid long and hearty cheers from those on shore.
THE WINTER PASSED without any outbreak or hostilities. Unfin-
ished work was proceeded with on the inside of the stockade, which
was formed of cedar pickets eighteen feet above ground. The enclosure
was 150 yards on each side, witli two block-houses or bastions at the
angles, and dwellings and store-houses within. The buildings within
the fort proper were considered complete during 1844. This agrees
with Mr. Finlayson's autobiography.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FORT. — James Deans describes the fort as he
saw it in 1853 as follows: "The bastions were of hewn logs some
thirty feet in height, and were connected by palisades about twenty
feet high. Within the palisades were the stores, numbered from one
to five, and a blacksmith's shop, besides dining-hall, cook-house and
-chapel. The ground, to the extent of an acre, was cleared and
160
HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
THK S01TH BASTION.
enclosed by a palisade forming a square. On the north and south
corners was a tower containing six or eight pieces of ordnance each
(Finlayson says, 9-pound ers). The north lower served as a prison,
the south one for firing salutes. In the centre of the east and west
sides were main gateways, each having a little door to let people out
or in after hours. On the right, entering by the front, or south gate,
was a cottage in which was the post-office. It
was kept by an officer of the Company, a Captain
Sangster. Next in order was the smithy. Next
and first on the south side, was a large store-
house, in which fish-oil, etc., were stowed away.
Next came the carpenter's shop. Close to this,
was a large room, provided with bunks, for the
Company's men to sleep in. Next and last on
that side was a large building, a sort of bar-
racks for new arrivals. Between this corner and
the east gate were the chapel and chaplain's house. On the other side
of the gate was a large building which served as a dining-room for
the officers ; adjoining this were the cook-house and pantry. On the
fourth side was a
double row of build-
ings for storing furs
previous to ship-
ment to England,
and goods before
taking their place
in the trading-store.
Behind these stores
was a fire-proof
building, used as a
magazine for stor-
ing gunpowder. On
the lower corner
was another cot-
tage, in which lived
Finlayson and his
family, who was then chief factor. On the other side of the front,
or west, gate was the flagstaff and belfry. The central part of the
enclosure was open, and was always kept clean. Through this
enclosure ran the main road, leading from the two gates.
" If a fort was to be built Douglas would specify the number of
men to be employed, the tools to be used, among which the never-
failing Canadian chopping-axe was always promim-nt, if indeed it
was not the only one, if a few augers, saws and chisels be excepted.
Finlayson had been the pupil of Douglas, as Douglas had been the
pupil of McLoughlin. Under the influence of Douglas, Finlayson
had imbibed similar ideas ; so that when ordered to build Fort
Camosun, without a single nail, he did it. Strange as it may appear,
INSIDE BUILDINGS AND BASTION OK FORT VICTORIA IN 1853.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 161
houses, palisades and bastions were erected without the use of one
iron nail or spike, wooden pegs alone being employed."
THE VERY BEST MEN. — There is no doubt but the site of Fort
Victoria was the best selection which could have been made on the
coast, not only for fur-trading purposes, but for subsequent trade and
commerce when the country became settled. A writer on the subject
says : " The life of a fur trader or factor was one perpetual lesson in
observation. To study well the country, its configuration and con-
tents, was their daily occupation. Hence the location of the chief
city of British Columbia was not, as has been so many times the case
in city building, the result of accident. The very best place that the
the very best men, after due deliberation and examination could find,
was chosen, and in the enjoyment of the result of this sound judgment
their descendants forever may call them blessed. Those to whom more
immediate thanks are due are, James Douglas, John McLoughlin,
Roderick Finlayson, John Work, Anderson, Tolmie and McNeill.
Governor Simpson and the London management were only secondary
as to their influence as to location. It was the chief factors and
chief traders of the day who really determined matters."
DOUGLAS AND DR. MCLOUGHLIN. — The leading man among them
was James Douglas. His colleague and former leader, McLoughlin,
was now in his decline. He had been the leader in North- West affairs
for about eighteen years; but on account of his favorable leanings
towards outside settlers who were arriving, it was determined by
the directors in London that he should retire. His mantle fell on
Douglas.
BANCROFT ON FINLAYSON. — The officer in charge of the new fort,
Charles Ross, died early in 1844. Finlayson, being next officer, was
appointed chief in command. Speaking of him Bancroft says :
"Though always a leading man in the Company and in the colony, he
has not been so prominent as to have excited to any general extent
jealousy or obloquy by reason of his position. Among business men,
among those who have met him almost daily for a period of forty
years, or are intimate with his course and character, he is pronounced
a shrewd, practical, clear-headed Scotchman, who, though sometimes
seeking office and assuming public duties, meddles little with his
neighbor's affairs, but attends to his own business, and does it so well
and thoroughly as usually to command success. Kind, honorable,
and exceedingly courteous, showing himself by instinct a gentleman
in the highest sense of that much misapplied word, he possesses
11
162 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
neither the genius nor the weakness of McLouglilin, nor the
chivalrous strength or the cold, calculating formality of Douglas. He
is not wholly self abandoned in his well-doing like the one, nor
snow capped, by reason of his moral or political elevation, like the
other. Being not so great a man as either, his faults do not stand
out so conspicuously."
STOCK FOR THE ISLAND. — On the return trip of the Beaver, after
landing Factor Douglas and party from the new fort, cattle and horses
were brought from Nisqually. The cattle were chiefly of Mexican
origin and were wild and unmanageable. When first turned loose
from the steamer, with head and tail erect they darted hither and
thither, then plunged into the thicket, and it was with no small
difficulty that they were finally corralled and controlled. In due
time, however, a sufficient number for hauling timber and farming
purposes were subdued and brought under the yoke, and, when not
at work, were turned out to graze along with the horses and other
cattle.
INDIANS OBJECT TO CATTLE. — This new method of having such work
performed by animals, which, in the opinion of the savages, should be
done by women, did not meet with their approval. In their way of
thinking the women would become idle and lazy and too proud to work,
consequently would so fall in value as materially to affect the comfort
of those who might be in possession of six or ten wives; besides, this
large, fat game, so easily caught, was very desirable. Their logic
was convincing to themselves, although the white men had warned
them, under penalty of severe displeasure, not to interfere with the
civilized game.
COWICIIINS HELP THEMSELVES. — Temptation was too strong. A
band of Cowichins, under Chief Tsoughilam, who had come down from
the north on a plundering expedition, had encamped in the vicinity
of the fort. They quietly helped themselves to some of the best of
the work-oxen and lived sumptuously. The fort-builders having need
of their cattle, found only the remains of their faithful assistants
with traces of the carcasses having been conveyed to the Cowichin
camp.
Finlayson despatched a message to the chief demanding delivery of
the offenders or payment of the slain animals. The savage indignantly
replied : " What, these animals yours ! Did you make them. I
consider them all the property of nature, and whatever nature sends
me, that I slay and eat, asking no questions."
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 163
The messenger replied: "These cattle were brought from beyond
the great sea ; they belong to those who brought them, and unless
you make proper restitution the gates of the fort will be closed
against you." " Close your gates, if yo-i like," shouted the chief in a
great rage, " and I will batter them down. Close your gates,
forsooth ! Think you we did not live before the white man came 1
and think you we should die were he swept from these shores V
COVETOUS CHIEFS. — Tsoughilam made no idle threat. He calcu-
lated on assistance from the chieftains and their warriors in the
neighborhood. Tsilaltchach, the greatest and bravest among the
Songhies, had watched many days, with itching palms, the good
things carried in behind the palisades, and would not scruple in the
least to attempt to secure some of them. The Cowichin chief called
a council, and in effect said to them : " Reptiles have crept hither ;
reptiles with strange stings, whom it were well to crush upon the
* spot, lest they should soon overspread the whole island. The reward
of our work may be found behind the palisades."
ADVOCATE THEIR RIGHTS. — Tsilaltchach, the chief of the Songhies,
next spoke and said : " We and our forefathers have lived in
happiness upon this island for many ages before the existence of
these strangers was known. We have eaten of the fruits of the
earth, have bathed in the waters and in the sunshine, have hunted
our forests unquestioned of any, and have fought away our enemies
manfully. Is all now to be taken from us 1 "
Another brave sprang to his feet shouting : " We will meet this
intruder as we have met those of the past. We can do without their
trinkets, or, what is better, we can take them without asking." A
deep grunt of applause went around the council, and war was
declared.
WATCH KEPT.— From the messenger's report it was considered
necessary that within the fort watch should be kept night and day to
prevent surprise. After two days, a large force assembled round the
fort to make the threatened attack. The bastions were manned.
Soon amid savage yells and terrifying antics, a shower of musket
bullets came rattling against the fort, riddling the stockade and
rattling on the roofs of the houses. Finlayson ordered that not a
shot was to be returned, though it was with the utmost difficulty he
could restrain his men. The savages continued their fire for full
half an hour, when seeing no prospect of surrender, they ceased firing
to save their ammunition.
164 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
HE GAVE THE WORD. — Then the commander of the fort appeared
on the parapet of the bastion, and beckoning the chief of the
Cowichins to come within speaking distance, said : " What would you
do 1 What folly, with your peppery guns, to think to demolish our
stronghold ? What evil would you bring upon yourselves ? Know
you not that with one motion of my finger I could blow you all into
the bay 1 And I will do it, too. See your houses yonder !" And
instantly, upon the word, a 9-pounder belched forth, with astounding
noise, a large load of grape shot, tearing into splinters the cedar
lodge at which it was pointed.
THE INTERPRETER'S SIGNAL. — The astonished and affrighted savages
ran howling towards their camp, from whence arose howls of despair
from the women and children. No one was injured, however, as the
terrified husbands and fathers supposed they were. Finlayson had
no desire to hurt them, only to teach them a lesson. Before the
parley, and while the bullets were falling thick around, he had formed
the plan of training them without doing them injury. He ordered
his interpreter to slip from the back gate and run to the camp, as if
escaping from a foe, and oh arriving at the chiefs lodge, to warn the
inmates to instant flight, as the fort was preparing to tire upon them,
and to signal back to him by swinging a handkerchief when they had
removed. Hence no damage was done, save the shivering to splinters
of some pine slabs.
A PARLEY REQUESTED. — Within an hour a deputation of the
principal men of the attacking party appeared at the fort and
requested a parley with the white chief. FinJayson told them they
might come within the stockade, and as a guarantee of good faith he
agreed to send out two of his men as hostages. The offer was
accepted. It was fully explained to them how he could destroy them
if he wished. To impress them, he showed them his men fully
accoutred, his big guns and his little guns, and powder and balls, and
knives and swords. He assured them he only wished to do them
good ; but he insisted that those who killed the oxen should be given
up for punishment, or the cattle paid for. They preferred the latter
alternative.
THE PIPE OF PEACE SMOKED. — Before nightfall they returned with
furs to the full amount of the damages. The pipe of peace was then
smoked, and promises of friendship exchanged. Thus the first battle
on Vancouver Island, between the whites and the aborigines, was
ended without bloodshed.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 165
A CRACK SHOT. — Next day the natives were anxious to see the
great gun tried again. Finlayson told them he would give them a
sample of hosv he could destroy canoes, if they would place an old
one on the water. This was no sooner done, and the cannon trained,
than bang went the ball, and after smashing a hole in the boat,
bounded along the surface of the water to the opposite shore. This
increased their astonishment and respect for the white man's power.
PLUNDER RESTORED. — Not long after these extraordinary events
in the eyes of the savages, a tribe from Whidbey Island came to
Camosun to trade. Their business having been completed, they
started for their boats with the goods. It so happened a feud existed
between this tribe (the Skagits) and the Songhies of Camosun, so the
latter fell upon the Skagits and stripped them of their purchases.
The plundered party returned to the fort and told of their misfortune.
Finlayson ordered immediate restoration of the stolen goods, which
was at once complied with, and promises made of better behavior.
By a judicious balance of power and a few friendly presents to the
chiefs, Mr. Finlayson in a short time obtained their confidence and
ultimately their respect.
SHIPS DIRECT TO VICTORIA. — The next year after Finlayson was
placed in full command, he turned his attention to the production of
food. The demand for provisions to supply the Russian contract
required all the spare time of the employes at the fort to produce
them. The natives also assisted as laborers and herdsmen, and
were paid at the same rate as whites for labor performed.
Business was progressing smoothly. The new fort would certainly
soon become the first depot of the Hudson Bay Company's goods on
the Pacific coast. Outward-bound ships from England now had
orders to sail direct for this port, and after landing here all the sjoods
destined for the coast trade, to proceed to the Columbia with the
remainder.
GOODS VIA CAPE HORN. — The first vessel to enter Victoria harbor
direct from England was the Vancouver, in 1845. There were then
three vessels in the Company's employ, between London and the
north-west coast, the Vancouver, the Cowlitz, and the Columbia,
These ships made yearly voyages, bringing supplies always twelve
months in advance, which enabled the forts to have on hand from
one to two years' supply. The coast trade was still to be confined to
the coast tribes, but Victoria would soon become the distributing
point instead of Fort Vancouver. At first a few goods had been
166 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
brought over the mountains from eastern poi ts, but so difficult and
expensive was that mode of transport that it was abandoned, and all
supplies for the western slope were brought from England to Fort
Vancouver, round Cape Horn. The inland trade continued to be
supplied by the old route from Fort Vancouver, up the Columbia to
Okanagan, Kamloops, and Fort St. James. A change had now
taken place, especially as far as the coast supply was concerned.
WHALERS. — Also, in 1845, a fleet of five United States whalers
called at Fort Victoria for supplies — the name " Camosun " having
been changed first to Fort Albert, and then to Fort Victoria. The
whaling fleet continued to call at Fort Victoria until the port of
San Fiancisco was established.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE TERRITORY TO BE DIVIDED.
OCCUPATION IN COMMON MUST CEASE. — Outside pressure was now
being applied to bring on a division of Oregon territory, the ownership
of which was btill unsettled. It was evident, as settlers were arriving
in considerable numbers from the United States and elsewhere, that
the country could no longer be kept wholly as a game preserve. This
partnership or occupation in common by the representatives of two
powerful nations, in the very nature of things, must soon be dissolved.
It was impossible to prevent settlement ; it was not expedient, nor
could it be expected that the officers and servants of the Hudson
Bay Company would treat settlers as enemies, for they were, as a
rule, just and humane men. But in sentiment and in policy, the
subjects and citizens of the two powers were to some extent
antagonistic. Still more so were the 'private interests of the fur
company, who down nearly to the time under review had dominated
the whole territory. They knew it was impossible to conduct a
successful peltry business in the face of increasing settlement.
Hence their wisdom in making provision in the dividing line, which
might not shut out the Company from using the Columbia River as
the principal channel of communication with the northern interior,
as it formerly was.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 167
CAPTAIN GORDON'S ARRIVAL. — Her Majesty's ship America arrived.
Th'is vessel was under command of the Hon. Captain John Gordon,
brother of the Earl of Aberdeen, then Prime Minister of Britain.
The object of the visit was to obtain information regarding the coast
•and the country to assist the British Government in settling the
boundary question then pending. Mr. Finlayson was sent for and
consulted. It was decided by Captain Gordon not to anchor in
Esquimalt harbor, as he wished to send two of his officers to examine
and report on Puget Sound, Fort Vancouver and the Columbia River
country. They therefore sailed to Port Discovery, from which point
Captain Parke, of the Marines, and Lieutenant Peel, son of Sir
Robert Peel, were sent by way of the Cowlitz to the Columbia, the
ship to remain at anchor in Port Discovery until their return.
HE SEES THE COUNTRY. — Captain Gordon, accompanied by Mr.
Finlayson, recrossed the straits to Fort Victoria in the ship's long
boat. He remained there for two weeks, until his officers returned
from Fort Vancouver. Several excursions were made on horseback,
hunting, and to examine the country. On one occasion, in the
vicinity of Cedar Hill, Mr. Finlayson mentions in his autobiography,
they fell in with a band of deer, which soon disappeared in a thicket,
to the disappointment of Captain Gordon, who was a noted deer-
stalker in Scotland. On their return to the fort through the partially
open country, with the native grass as high as the horses' knees, Mr.
Finlayson made the remark, "What a fine country this is ! " to which
the Captain replied, •' he would not give one of the barren hills of
Scotland for all he saw around him." Officers Parke and Peel
returned from the Columbia, accompanied by James Douglas, and
%ifter a short delay, the America returned to England.
ROYAL ENGINKERS. — The arrival of two Royal Engineers, Lieuten-
ants Warre and Vavasour, at Fort Vancouver, required that Mr.
Douglas should return there. These officers were commissioned by
the British Government to make a special report on the resources
and condition of the country. They travelled across the Rocky
Mountains along with the annual express of the Hudson Bay Com-
pany from York Factory, which that year (1845) was in charge of
Chief Factor Ogden. Their report was not very nattering to the
country through which they had passed ; indeed, from the waterways
not much could be seen on which to base a very favorable report.
Joseph W. McKay, who then had general supervision of the north
coast establishments, and who was detailed to attend the British
108 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
officers in their examination of the district, to take charge of bag-
gage and provide animals, guides, etc., testifies that with regard to
the Cowlitz district, and the region between the Columbia and the
Straits of Fuca, they declared it should be held at all hazards.
" FIFTY-FOUR FORTY OR FIGHT." — At this time a cry was raised in
the United States of ''fifty-four forty or fight," which was interpreted
to mean that if Great Britain did not yield peaceable possession of all
the territory west of the Rocky Mountains, between the possessions
of Mexico on the south and Russia on the north (by them said to be
latitude 54° 40'), the United States would fight for it. This was
a game of bluff, and most unreasonable, for in the negotiations of
1826, the United States plenipotentiaries proposed that the navigation
of the Columbia should be made free to both parties, and conceding
the entire left bank of the Columbia River as far as the 49th parallel,
thereby giving up to them the exclusive possession of the Lewis and
Clarke Rivers, and the intermediate territory.
STRONG LETTER FROM SIR RICHARD. — Sir Richard Pakenham, who
was negotiator on behalf of Great Britain, says in a letter, September
12th, 1844: "It is believed that by this arrangement most ample
justice would be done to the claims of the United States, on whatever
ground advanced, with relation to the Oregon territory. As regards
extent of territory, they would obtain, acre for acre, nearly half of
the entire territory to be divided. As relates to the navigation of
the principal river, they would enjoy a perfect equality of right with
Great Britain ; and with respect to harbors, Great Britain shows
every disposition to consult their convenience in this particular. On
the other hand, were Great Britain to abandon the line of the
Columbia as a frontier, and to surrender the right to the navigation
of that river, the prejudice occasioned to them by such an arrange-
ment would, beyond all proportion, exceed the advantage accruing to
the United States from the possession of a few more square miles of
territory. It must be obvious to every impartial investigator of the
subject, that in adhering to the line of the Columbia, Great Britain is
not influenced by motives of ambition, with reference to the extension
of territory, but by considerations of -utility, not to say necessity,
which cannot be lost sight of, and for which allowance ought to be
made in an arrangement professing to be based on considerations of
mutual convenience and advantage.''
OTHER UNITED STATES CLAIMS. — The claims of the United States
were based on the title of Spain to the north-west coast. The third
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 169
article of the convention between the United States and Great
Britain, in 1818, states " that any country that may be claimed by
either party on the north-west coast of America, westward of the
Stony (Rocky) Mountains, shall, together with its harbors, bays and
creeks, and the navigation of all rivers within the same, be free and
open, for the term of ten years from the date of the signature of the
present convention, to the vessels, citizens and subjects of the two
powers ; it being well understood that this agreement is not to be
construed to the prejudice of any claim which either of the two high
contracting parties may have to any part of the said country ; nor
shall it be taken to affect the claims of any other power or state to
any part of the said country, the only object of the high contracting
parties in that respect being to prevent disputes and differences
among themselves."
GREAT BRITAIN'S ARGUMENTS. — Afterwards the United States
claimed : "The first discovery of the mouth of the River Columbia by
Captain Gray, of Boston, in 1792; the first discovery of the sources
of that river, and the exploration of its course to the sea, by Captains
Lewis and Clarke, in 1805-6, and the establishment of the first posts
and settlements in the territory in question." They also based claims
on Fort Astoria, which were discussed along with the Spanish title at
great length.
The arguments in support of the claim of Great Britain were :
That the River Columbia was not first discovered by Gray in 1792,
who had only entered its mouth ; but that it was discovered in 1788
by Lieutenant (Captain) Meares, of the British navy; that in 1792-93,
Vancouver or his officers explored the river for some distance from
the mouth, and was the first to make a correct map of the coast,
including Puget Sound ; that the explorations of Lewis and Clarke,
in 1805-6, were only of that portion of the Columbia west of the
rivers named after them, not far from Walla Walla in latitude 46°,
and could not be considered as confirming the claim of the United
States, because, if not before, at least in the same and subsequent
years, the British North-West Company had, by means of their
agents, already established posts on the head waters or main branch
of the river.
OREGON BOUNDARY. 1827. — An attempt was made in 1827 to
settle the boundary question. Great Britain was represented by
Messrs. Huskisson and Addington. The following is a summary of
the arguments they advanced :
170 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
"That Great Britain did not claim exclusive sovereignty over any
portion of the territory on the Pacific, between the 42nd and 49th
parallels of latitude. Her present claim, not in respect to any part,
but to the whole, is limited to a right of joint occupancy in common
with other states, leaving the right of exclusive dominion in abey-
ance ; and her pretentions tend to the mere maintenance of her own
rights, in resistance to the exclusive character of the pretentions of
the United States.
CONVENTION OP 1790. — "That the rights of Great Britain are
recorded and defined in the convention of 1790. They embrace the
right to navigate the waters of those countries, to settle in and over
any part of them, and to trade with the inhabitants and occupiers of
the same. These rights have been peaceably exercised ever since the
date of that convention ; that is, for a period of nearly forty years.
Under that convention, valuable British interests have grown up in
these countries. It is admitted that the United States possess the
same rights, although they have been exercised by them only in a
single instance, at Astoria, the restitution of which, in 1818, was
accompanied by express reservations of the claims of Great Britain
to that territory ; and that the titles to the territory in question,
derived by the United States from Spain, amounted to nothing more
than the rights secured to Spain equally with Great Britain by the
Nootka Sound Convention of 1790.
UNITED STATES DORMANT SINCE 1813. — "That whilst, since the
year 1813, the United States had not exercised any of the rights
alluded to, the subjects of Great Britain have had for many years
numerous settlements and trading-posts in the territory in question ;
several of these posts are on the tributary waters of the Columbia,
several upon the main river, some to the northward and others to the
southward of that river, and they navigate the Columbia as the sole
channel for the conveyance of their produce to the British stations
nearest to the sea, and for its shipment thence to Great Britain ; and
it is also by the Columbia and its tributary streams that these ports
and settlements receive their annual supplies from Great Britain.
" That to the interests and establishments which British industry
and enterprise have created, Great Britain owes protection ; and both
as regards settlement and freedom of trade and navigation, that
protection will be given, with every intention not to infringe the
co-ordinate rights of the United States, it being the desire of the
British Government, so long as the joint occupancy continues, tor
regulate its own obligations by the same rules which govern the
-obligations of every other occupying party."
THE CONVENTION did not arrive at any definite settlement beyond
ratifying the third article of the convention of 1818, already quoted,
and further deciding that either of the high contracting parties, on
giving twelve months' notice after 20th October, 1828, might annul
and abrogate this convention. From that time until 1845-46 the
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 171
Hudson Bay Company continued to carry on their extensive arid
prosperous business, both in the interior of the territory from the far
north to San Francisco, without any interference, except the advance
of settlement from the east.
OREGON TREATY, PASSED 15TH JUNE, 1846. — Notwithstanding all
the arguments adduced by Great Britain, what is now known as the
Oregon Treaty was inexplicably passed on the 15th of June, 1846.
The first article provides as follows: "From the point on the 49th
parallel of north latitude, where the boundary laid down in existing
treaties and conventions between the United States and Great
Britain terminates, the line of boundary between the territories of
the United States and those of her Britannic Majesty shall be
continued westward along the 49th parallel of north latitude, to the
middle of the channel which separates the Continent from Vancouver
Island, and thence southerly through the middle of the said channel,
and of the Fu. a Straits, to the Pacific Ocean. Provided, however,
that the navigation of the whole said channel and straits, south of
the 49th parallel of north latitude, remain free and open to both
parties. "
The second article provided for the free navigation of the Columbia
River by the Hudson Bay Company and the British subjects trading
with them, from the 49th parallel of north latitude to the ocean.
The third article provided that the possessory rights of the Hudson
Bay Company and all other British subjects, to the territory south of
the said 49th parallel, should be respected.
WAR VESSELS ARRIVING. — Some time elapsed before any attempt
was made to carry out the terms of the treaty and to mark out the
boundary line therein stipulated. To guard the interests of Great
Britain on the northern coast, several vessels were ordered to proceed
to Fort Victoria. They were the Cormorant, Captain Gordon, not the
Earl of Aberdeen's brother, already mentioned, but another of the same
name; the Fisgard, Captain Duntze; the Constance, Captain Courtney;
the Inconstant. Captain Shepherd ; and the surveying vessels Herald,
Captain Kelletfc, and Pandora, Captain Wood. It so turned out that
there was not the slightest necessity for the appearance of that fleet.
The surveying vessels made a superficial survey of the Straits of Fuca
and then sailed southward. The Cormorant was a steamship.
CORRESPONDENCE WAS CONTINUED between the two governments,
relative to the location of the boundary. Mr. Crorupton, the then
British minister at Washington, was instructed to propose that
172 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
commissioners should be appointed for the purpose of carrying down
such parts of the boundary line as should, on consultation, seem
advisable. On the 13th of January, 1848, he wrote to Mr. Buchanan,
Secretary of State, a letter setting forth the line from the Lake of
the Woods, as running along the 49th parallel of latitude, and the
ascertainment of that parallel on the surface of the ground being an
operation of astronomical observation, could be accomplished with as
much precision at a future time as at present.
MR. CROMPTON SAYS : " But between the Gulf of Georgia and the
Straits of Fuca the line is less distinctly and accurately denned by
the verbal description of the treaty by which it is established, and
local circumstances render it probable that if this part of the line
were not to be precisely determined, the uncertainty as to its course
might give rise to disputes between British subjects and the citizens
of the United States. It appears, therefore, to her Majesty's Govern-
ment, that it would be wise to proceed forthwith to take measures
for marking out that portion of the line of boundary.
" For this purpose, her Majesty's Government are of opinion that it
might probably be sufficient that each Government should appoint a
naval officer of scientific attainments and of conciliatory character,
and that those officers should be directed to meet at a specified time
and place, and should proceed in concert to lay down the above-
mentioned portion of the boundary line.
" The first operation of these officers would be to determine with
accuracy the point at which the 49th parallel of latitude strikes the
eastern shore of the Gulf of Georgia, and to mark that point by a
substantial monument. From that point they would have to carry
the line along the 49th parallel of latitude, to the centre of the
channel between Vancouver Island and the Continent; and this
point, as it probably cannot be marked by any object to be perman-
ently on the spot, should be ascertained by the intersection of the
cross-bearings of natural or artificial landmarks.
"The two officers would then have to carry on the line down the
centre of the channel, and down the centre of the Straits of Fuca to
the ocean. Arid this water-line must, as it would seem, be deter-
mined also by a series of. points, to be ascertained by the intersection
of cross-bearings.
"But in regard to this portion of the boundary line, a preliminary
question arises, which turns upon the interpretation of the treaty,
rather than upon the result of local observation and survey. The
convention of the 15th of June, 1846, declares that the line shall
be drawn through the middle of the 'channel' which separates the
Continent from Vancouver Island; and upon this may be asked, what
the word 'channel' was intended to mean?
"Generally the word 'channel,' when employed in treaties, means
a deep and navigable channel. In the present case, it is believed that
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 173
only one channel, that, namely, which was laid down by Vancouver
in his chart — has in. this part of the gulf, been hitherto surveyed and
used ; and it seems natural to suppose that the negotiators of the
Oregon convention, in employing the word ' channel/ had that par-
ticular channel in view.
" If this construction be mutually adopted, no preliminary difficulty
will exis*-, and the commissioners will only have to ascertain the
course of the line along the middle of that channel, and along the
middle of the Straits of Fuca down to the sea.
" It is indeed to be wished that this arrangement should be agreed
upon by the two governments, because otherwise much time might
be wasted in surveying the various intricate channels formed by
the numerous islets which lie between Vancouver Island and the
mainland, and some difficulty might arise in deciding which of those
channels ought to be adopted for the dividing boundary.
" The main channel, marked in Vancouver's map, is indeed some-
what nearer to the Continent than to Vancouver Island, and its
adoption would leave on the British side of the line rather more of
those small islets with which that part of the gulf is studded than
would remain on the United States side. But these islets are of
little or no value, and the only large and valuable island belonging
to the group — namely, that called Whidbey's — would of course belong
to the United States.
" This question being, as I have already said, one of interpretation
rather than of local observation, it ought, in the opinion of her
Majesty's Government, to be determined before the commissioners
go out, which cannot be earlier than spring next year."
A FAIR PROPOSITION. — -A draft copy of the instructions proposed
by Great Britain to be given to the commissioners about to be
appointed, was enclosed along with the foregoing letter. They
accorded with the letter in every particular. It says : "That part
of the channel of the Gulf of Georgia, which lies nearly midway
between the 48th and 49th parallels of north latitude, appearing by
Vancouver's chart to be obstructed by numerous islands, which seem
to be separated from each other by small and intricate channels, as
yet unexplored ; it has, therefore, been mutually determined between
the Governments of Great Britain and the United States, in order to
avoid the difficulties which would probably attend the explorations
of all those channels, that the line of boundary shall be drawn along
the middle of the wide channel to the east of those islands, which is
laid down by Vancouver and marked with soundings as the channel
which had been explored and used by the officers under his command.
You will find the line thus described traced in red, in the copy of
Vancouver's chart hereunto annexed. It must accordingly be left to
174 HISTORY OF BKJT1SH COLUMBIA.
the discretion of the commissioners to connect that part of the liner
which, being drawn through that portion of the gulf free from islands,
must pass exactly half way between Vancouver Island and the main;
but the slight deviations of the boundary from 'the accurate midway
which may for some short distance be required for this purpose cannot
be of any material importance to either party. >J
DELAYED UNTIL 1856. — The instructions given above should be
looked upon as most fair, and shows that the British Government
was willing to do everything possible to settle fairly the boundary
question. Tt was delayed, however, until the year 1856, on the
pretext that the legislature of the United States had not appro-
priated the sum necessary to defray the expenses of the work required
to mark out the boundaries.
HUDSON BAY COMPANY'S BUSINESS UNDISTURBED. — The passing of
the Oregon Treaty d d not at the time affect the general business of
the Hudson Bay Company, which was then in a most flourishing
condition. The fur trade had begun to fall off to the south of the
Columbia River, owing to the influx of settlers. The natives in that
direction were becoming somewhat dangerous. They were imbued
with a dislike to the "Boston men," as they termed the United
States people, but continued to have confidence in the Hudson Bay
Company's men, whom they termed "King George men." The Russian
trade was increasing. Along the coast and in the interior of the
vast domain, untouched by the treaty, everything went on as usual.
FLOURISHING AT VICTORIA. — Under Finlayson's careful manage-
ment the new fort at Victoria was giving an excellent account of
itself. In little more than three years after its commencement,
there were 160 acres of land under cultivation, on which were
grown wheat, oats, potatoes, carrots, turnips, and other vegetables.
The natives became well disposed and turned in to assist to clear
land and perform agricultural work. They were paid according to.
their work, at the same rate as white laborers. Two extensive
dairies, each having seventy cows, were established at the new fort.
The cows yielded during the season seventy pounds of butter each.
EXCELLENT CROPS. — It is recorded that "in 1847, on the flat where
now run the most prominent business streets, where stand the banks,
the post office, and the principal business houses, three hundred acres
were cleared and under cultivation. The land was rich, producing
tine pease and potatoes, and of wheat forty bushels to the acre. The
most of the produce was sent to Sitka. Five thousand bushels of
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 175
wheat, and large quantities of beef and mutton were shipped from
Victoria harbor that year in two Russian vessels. Payment for this
produce was made with bills of exchange on St. Petersburg. A
portion of the cargo of those two Russian vessels was brought from
Fort Langley in small boats.
ENCOURAGING DIRECTIONS. — PAUL KANE, a somewhat celebrated
artist and painter, visited this section of the country in 1846-47.
Mr. Kane had studied art in Europe, and returned to Canada with
the determination to devote his time and talents to the completion
of a series of paintings illustrative of Indian life and character.
After an interview on the subject with Sir George Simpson, governor
of the Hudson Bay Company, who entered cordially into the project,
and gave directions to the Company's officers to facilitate the artist's
movements in every way, he set out from Toronto in May, 1846, his
design being, whenever an opportunity offered, to make portraits
of the principal chiefs in their native dress, and characteristically
to represent on canvas the Indian tribes and scenery of the almost
unknown country.
On reaching Lake Superior, Mr. Kane joined a brigade of the
Hudson Bay Company, and by way of the Red River settlement, he
passed to Lake Winnipeg, and by the Saskatchewan River to
Edmonton. Early in October he left Edmonton, passing by way of
Fort Assiniboine to Jasper House, thence he crossed the mountains
by the Athabaska Pass, reaching the Columbia River down which he
made a rapid voyage of fifteen days to Fort Vancouver, where he
arrived on the 8th of December. In a volume published in 1859,
entitled ;' Wanderings of an Artist among the Indians of North
America, from Canada to Vancouver Island and Oregon," it is
mentioned that Fort Vancouver, on his visit, contained two chief
factors, ten clerks and two hundred voyageurs, and that the fort was
further enlivened by the presence of H. M. S. Modeste, which had
been on the station for two years.
PAUL KANE'S WANDERINGS. — The artist remained at Fort Van-
couver until the beginning of January, when he proceeded southward
some distance up the Williamette. He then found his way northward
to Puget Sound and Vancouver Island. Here among various Indian
tribes, he spent the summer of 1847. In the autumn he returned by
the River Columbia, and reached Edmonton in December, meeting
with great hardship and much suffering on the journey, owing to the
lateness of the season. At Cumberland House he mefc Sir John
176 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Richardson and Dr. Rae on their way to Mackenzie River in search
of Sir John Franklin. He reached Toronto, October, 1848. Mr.
Sandford Fleming states, in a paper read before the Royal Society of
Canada, 1889, that some of Mr. Kane's paintings are to be seen at the
Speaker's residence in the House of Commons, Ottawa ; the greater
number of them are in the private collection of Senator Allan, Toronto.
DR. McLouGHLiN RETIRES. — James Douglas was then the chief
factor of the entire territory west of the Rocky Mountains. Dr.
McLoughlin had retired from the service in 1845, and with his
family went to Oregon city to reside. His wife was the widow of
Alexander McKay, already referred to as being the associate of
Alexander Mackenzie in his exploratory trip to the Pacific coast in
1793, and who lost his life in the massacre on board the Tonquin in
1811. The new fort was found to be most convenient. It drew
trade from all directions. Preparations were under way for removing
headquarters from Fort Vancouver to Fort Victoria, as all the forts
and trading-posts and farms south of latitude forty-nine and north of the
boundary line must, under the treaty, be abandoned and transferred.
HUDSON BAY COMPANY INDEMNIFIED. — This only caused a certain
amount of inconvenience to the Company, but not much actual loss,
as their possessory rights were assessed and paid for in full by the
United States Government, and the use of the illimitable north
remained with them as before. New channels of communication
with the interior, however, were required to connect with Fort
Victoria instead of the Columbia, whch would be of no service south
of the boundary after the business of the Company was withdrawn.
A ROAD SURVEY. — To open up the country
by way of Fort Langley and the Fraser
River, the work of exploration was at once
commenced. Early in 1846, Mr. A. C.
Anderson, who then had charge of Fort
Alexandria (the next fort on the Fraser north
of Langley), set out with five men to survey
the country from Fort Kamloops to Fort
Langley. His downward journey was not
very successful ; but he was more fortunate
A. c. ANDBRSON. on nis return, and secured a route which
was adopted from Langley by the way of the
Quequealla River (at the mouth of which the town of Hope now
stands) and Lake Nicola to Kamloops, from whence the trails to the
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 177
interior were tolerably well known. He made another survey in
1847, but without further success ; his route of the previous year
afterwards became, in the main, the waggon-road to the south-eastern
interior.
NATIVES OPPOSED TO NEW ROUTE. — Although not openly displayed,
Anderson's explorations met with a considerable amount of hostility
from the Indians ; but their attempts to misguide and mislead him
were not sufficient to overcome his determination to succeed, and,
assisted as he was by the fidelity of the native servants by whom he
was accompanied, he was enabled to defeat their plans and secure the
required route. Mr. Anderson was a most efficient officer, and
performed his duties faithfully to the Company until 1854, when he
retired from active service on two years' retiring furlough in addition
to the usual retiring interest, which continued for seven years
subsequently.
A NATIVE OF CALCUTTA. — Seeing that Alex. Caulfield Anderson's
services in New Caledonia refer to important topics and over an
extended period, connected with the history of British Columbia, it
may not be out of place to give a short sketch of his career. He was
a native of Calcutta, educated in England. Having entered the
Hudson Bay Company's service in 1831, at the age of seventeen, he
reached Fort Vancouver in 1832. After assisting in the founding of
the trading-posts at Milbank Sound and on the Stickeen, he was
appointed in 1835 to Mr. Ogden's district of New Caledonia, arriving
at Fort George in September. He was then despatched with a party
by way of Yellow Head Pass to Jasper House to meet the Columbia
brigade, and bring back goods for the New Caledonia district. Two
months afterwards he was appointed to the charge of Fort Alex-
andria on the lower end of the Fraser River, his first independent
command.
IN THE AUTUMN of 1839 he was removed to Fort George, and in the
spring of 1840, accompanied the outgoing brigade to Fort Vancouver.
In the summer of the same year he was appointed to the charge of
Fort Nisqually. In the autumn of 1841, Mr. Anderson left Nisqually
and passed the winter at Fort Vancouver. Next spring he went with
the express to York Factory, returned in October to Fort Alexandria,
where he again took charge and remained till 1848, having meanwhile
been promoted. In 1848 he succeeded Chief Factor John Lees in the
Colville district. He remained at Fort Colville, making annual trips
with supplies and bringing out furs to Fort Langley until 1851,
12
178 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
when he went to Fort Vancouver as assistant to Mr. Ballenden, and
succeeded temporarily to the superintendency till 1854, when he
retired from the Company's service.
Soon after leaving the Company's service Mr. Anderson married
Miss Birnie. In 1858, he went to Victoria to inquire into the gold
discoveries. Governor Douglas urged him to accept office and bring^
his family from the country which he did, and resided at Rosebank,
Saanich, near Victoria. In order to afford accommodation for the
transport of goods to the newly discovered gold diggings, he recom-
mended and directed the opening of a road from the head of Harrison.
Lake by way of Lake Anderson, where Lillooet was afterward located.
Five hundred miners were employed on the work, and the road then
constructed was used for the transport of all supplies, until the road
along the Fraser was made.
HIGH DUTIES. — It was found after the passing of the Oregon
Treaty that the duties on foreign goods arriving at Fort Vancouver
was so high that business could not be carried on there as usual.
That although British subjects had the same rights as subjects of the
United States to navigate the Columbia, that right did not permit
the Hudson Bay Company to import goods except on payment of
duty to the United States Customs for any merchandise which might
be sold in Oregon. Orders were therefore sent to officers in charge of
interior posts to open modes of communication from all points to
Fort Langley, where supplies from headquarters would be sent to the
several districts. Fort Victoria was to take the place of Fort
Vancouver as a distributing and shipping post.
These changes and the increased shipping added to the importance
of Fort Victoria and Mr. Finlayson's duties. Farming operations in
the neighborhood of the fort were carried on extensively. The war
vessels and merchantmen were supplied with all the beef and vege-
tables they required. Beef was sold to them at eight cents per
pound, and flour and vegetables proportionately cheap. A grist and
a saw mill were erected at the upper end of Esquimalt harbor to
supply flour and lumber.
SUPPLIES FOR CALIFORNIA. — The discovery of gold in California in
1848 also brought a large trade to Victoria. The miners discovered
that supplies were plentiful at Victoria, whilst at San Francisco such
goods as they most required were of limited supply and sold at
extravagant prices ; hence a large number of them came to Victoria.
Mr. Finlayson, in his autobiography, refers to this, and says: "Early
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 179
in 1849 a vessel appeared in the harbor, the crew of which wore red
flannel shirts. When they landed we took them to be pirates. I
ordered the men to the guns, manned the bastions and made ready
for defence. A few of the men approached the gate and informed
me they were peaceable traders, come from San Francisco with gold
which they would give in exchange for goods, as this was, they were
told, the only station on the northern coast where they could get the
goods they wanted.
GOLD NUGGETS. — " Having satisfied myself that they were what
they represented themselves to be, I gave them permission to enter.
They informed me that the previous year gold had been discovered
in California in large quantities, and that they had brought nuggets
to give for goods. They produced several of these, the value of which,
at first sight, I felt doubtful, but brought one of them over to the
blacksmith's shop and asked him and his assistant to hammer it on
the anvil. This they did, and flattened it out satisfactorily. I next
referred to rny book on minerals,, and concluded that the specimens
were genuine. I then offered them $11.00 per ounce for their gold,
which they took without a murmur. I then mentioned my prices,
to which they did not object. I felt somewhat doubtful, but con-
cluded to accept the gold, and the trade went on. They took in
exchange such goods as were not often required in our trade — old
iron pots, sea boots, blankets, baize, etc., etc., for which I received
satisfactory prices. A considerable sum was thus traded for the
nuggets ; but being doubtful as to the value I placed on the gold,
I despatched a boat with a crew of eight men to Puget Sound and
thence to the head depot at Vancouver, with specimens of my trade,
and asking whether I was right or wrong. The answer was, that I
was right, and that more goods would be sent me to carry on the
trade. Afterwards several other vessels came with the same object
and more gold. The effect was that soon our operations became
considerably disarranged by numbers of our men leaving us for the
California diggings, including the sailors from our ships. We had
to increase their pay to induce them to remain, and had to employ
Indians to replace the sailors on the ships and the laborers on
land."
REMOVAL OF FACTOR DOUGLAS AND FAMILY. — Mr. Finlayson con-
tinues : "The same year, 1849, the late Sir James Douglas, then
Chief Factor Douglas, removed with his family from the depot on the
Columbia River to this place, as by this time the principal business
180 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
of the department was carried on here. I was relieved of the
onerous duties I had to perform since the building of the fort. Mr.
Douglas having taken the superintendence in hand, I was placed in
the office as head accountant, which I held until the year 1862."
FIRST NOTICE RECEIVED.— Mr. A. C. Anderson, writing, says: "It
was at Fort Colville, in 1848, that [ first got notice of the discovery
of gold in California, in a private letter from Mr. Douglas, who had
just returned from a trip to the Sandwich Islands. Little excite-
ment, however, arose from this communication on the part of anyone ;
and, in fact, Mr. Douglas himself seemed half incredulous of the
report. A few months, however, served to dissipate this belief, and
before the autumn of 1849, the whole country was ablaze. I myself
felt fearful, on my return from Langley, in August of that year, lest
every man should leave me. By prudent npanagement, however, and
possessing, I flatter myself, the confidence of my men, I contrived to
confirm them in their allegiance, and retained their services until
their contracts were fully expired, a period of some two years. In
this respect I was exceptionally fortunate, for while my men, some
thirty in number, adhered to me faithfully, the other ports lower
down the river, including Fort Vancouver, in which about one
hundred and fifty men had been stationed, were almost deserted, and
Indian laborers were hired to supply the deficiency.
GREAT EXCITEMENT. — " It is almost impossible to realize to the
mind the intense excitement which at times prevailed. Gold appeared
to be almost, as it were, a drug on the market, and more than one of
the French-Canadian servants who had left Vancouver under the
circumstances mentioned, returned the following spring with accumu-
lations varying from $30,000 to $ 40.000. It is needless, however, to
add that the large amounts of treasure thus collected with so much
facility, united with the habits of extravagance which the unexpected
possession of wealth engendered, speedily disappeared. The men
who had thus dissipated their possessions, sanguine of their capacity
to replace them with equal facility as before, returned to California
enly to find that the field of their operations was fully occupied by
others, who in the meantime had flocked in, and that their chance
was gone.''
COAL DISCOVERED. — Another important discovery was brought
prominently forward on Vancouver Island in 1849. It is related
that in December of that year, Joseph W. Mackay, while engaged in
the Company's office in Fort Victoria, was called aside by the foreman
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. IS]
of the blacksmith's shop, who informed him that an old Nanaimo
chief, from the vicinity of what was then called Protection Island,
had entered the shop a short time previous to have his gun repaired.
Whilst waiting and watching operations, he noticed the men replen-
ishing the fire with coal. Picking up some of the lumps he examined
them closely, and finally remarked that there was plenty of such stone
where he lived. Proceeding to the shop, Mackay entered into con-
versation with the Indian, who repeated what he had said to the
blacksmith, giving further particulars with more exactness. Mackay
then said if he would bring him some pieces of the stuff, he should
have a bottle of rum and his gun repaired free. The offer was
accepted,
TESTED AT THE FORGE. — " The Indian departed, and as nothing
further was heard of the matter for some time, it was supposed the
old chief had forgotten his promise. But not so. He had been laid
up with illness during winter. One day early in April he appeared
in Victoria with his canoe well loaded with coal. It was tested at
the forge by the smith and pronounced of excellent quality. Mackay
fulfilled his promise by presenting the bottle of rum to the trusty old
chieftain. A prospecting party was at once fitted out, and Mackay,
placing himself at the head of it, landed near where the city of
Nanaimo now stands. On his return to Victoria, Mackay made a
favorable report. It was forthwith determined to turn to practical
account this new discovery, but owing to other business the mine
was neglected for the time being."
FORTS LANGLEY AND YALE. — Fort Langley was the only station
occupied by white men on the Fraser, below Fort Alexandria, a dis-
tance of about three hundred miles, until the establishment of Fort
Yale in 1848. It was so named after James Murray Yale, then in
charge of Fort Langley, who entered the Company's service in 1815,
when a boy, and who in after life became one of their best officers.
The new fort was erected to facilitate the transfer of supplies and
furs over the new route about to be opened, connecting the seaboard
with the interior east and north. The difficulties experienced on the
first trip to and from Fort Yale, determined Douglas to establish
another on the east bank of the Fraser, a short distance below Yale
at the mouth of the Coquihalla River, to be named Hope.
A DISASTROUS TRIP. — The first party on the new road to Yale
consisted of three brigades, namely, one from New Caledonia,
Thompson River and Colville, respectively. After due preparation
182 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
they set out with fifty men and four hundred horses, under the
command of Donald Manson, of New Caledonia, he being the senior
officer present — Anderson, in charge of the Colville district, being
second. On a new trail, with so many horses, many of them unbroken,
the difficulties may be imagined. Fort Yale was reached. The horses
were left there and the party quickly passed on to Langley. The return
journey by the same route was, if possible, more disastrous than had
been the downward trip. The merchandise carried back was more
bulky and perishable than their former cargo, and not only a large
percentage of the property was destroyed, but many of the horses
were lost.
THE OLD ROUTE CONDEMNED. — Fort Hope was therefore built to
be used for next year's brigade. The route partially explored in
1846 was more fully examined, and with certain changes was recom-
mended and adopted. The route over which they had just passed
was condemned, as a portion of it had to pass through a host of
barbarians, which congregate during the summer season . at the
fisheries. The report of Donald Manson and John Tod, of Kamloops,
said : " The risks of sacrificing both life and property (for it is
needless to attempt to cloak the matter) under circumstances which
neither courage nor precaution could avail against to resist surprise
or guard against treachery, are alone sufficient to deter us from the
attempt. The losses by theft, in themselves nowise contemptible,
which have already taken place, are but the prelude to future
depredations on a larger scale, should the present system of opera-
tions be unfortunately persisted in — depredations which, it is to be
feared, will be difficult either to discover in time or to prevent
effectually." The new route was adopted, and was followed until
1860, when the government road was completed.
FORT THOMPSON. — At Kamloops was Fort Thompson, one of the
oldest in New Caledonia, having been established in 1810 by David
Thompson, it was always a place of importance, being the centre of
the Thompson district, the rendezvous and point of transfer of the
annual brigades passing north and south to and from Fort Vancouver,
and latterly connecting with the seaboard by way of Langley and
Victoria. It was at Fort Thompson, Bancroft in his peculiar manner
relates, " that the Company's officer in command, Samuel Black,
challenged his brother-scot and guest, David Douglas, the wandering
botanist, to fight a duel, because the blunt visitor one night, while
over his rum and dried salmon, had stigmatized the honorable fur
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 183
traders as not possessing a soul above a beaver skin. But the
enthusiastic pupil of Hooker preferred to fight another day, and so
took his departure next morning unharmed, but only to meet his
death shortly after by falling into a pit at the Hawaiian Islands
while homeward bound. Likewise we may say, poor Black ! for it
was but a short time after this chivalrous display of fidelity to his
company, that is to say, during the winter of 1841-42 while residing
at the old fort, that he was cruelly assassinated by the nephew of a
f riendly neighboring chief named Wanquille, for having charmed his
life away."
JOHN TOD — SMALL-POX. — Attached to the fort were extensive stock-
ades for horses, as in the neighborhood hundreds of fine horses were
bred for the transport service. John Tod was the officer in charge at
Kamloops in 1846. He was a man of good
executive ability, and understood the Indian
character thoroughly. At that time the
warriors of the Shuswap tribes, to the num-
ber of three hundred, combined to rob and
murder the Company's men on the next trip.
Tod, through a friendly chief, was made
aware of the plot, but only after the savages
had started' on their murderous expedition.
He immediately started alone on horseback
to their camp, and riding amongst them on
his foaming steed, dropped his bridle reins,
and holding aloft his rifle and pistols threw them on the ground. He
then snatched the reins and made a few rapid peace evolutions on his
well-trained mare, which the Indians understood, and coming to a
sudden halt addressed the amazed savages in the most impressive
manner, informing them of the near approach of small-pox, and that
he had hastened with medicine to their assistance. The ruse was
successful. In a few minutes Tod had conquered the three hundred
warriors. They expressed great thankfulness, arid willingly submitted
to be vaccinated. Fifty of the leaders were first selected, then other
twenty, when the vaccine gave out. Tod used his tobacco knife as
lancet. He afterwards admitted confidentially to a friend, that when
the turn of certain noted rascals, whom he was satisfied were the
head and front of the conspiracy, came, he did cut away more than
was absolutely necessary, and did not perhaps feel that sympathy and
solicitude for the comfort of his patients which he ought to have
HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
done; and if so be the arm — he operated on the right arm — might
not wield a weapon for ten days or a fortnight, so much the better.
So the "Shuswap conspiracy" ended. The friendly chief was
rewarded with the horse he coveted. Tod was almost worshipped,
for not a mart of the three hundred would 6ver after believe that he
did not owe his life to Chief Trader Tod.
HORSE FLESH USED. — Commander R. C. Mayne, in his interesting
work, " Four Years in British Columbia and Vancouver Island,"
mentions that he visited Fort Thompson in 1859, and went "to see
the bands of horses driven in, and those past work selected for food.
There were some two or three hundred horses of all sorts and ages at
the station. Just outside the fort were two pens, or corrals as they
called them, and into these the horses were driven. A few colts were
chosen for breaking in, and then the old mares, whose breeding time
was past, were selected and — for it was upon horse-flesh principally
that the people of the fort lived — driven out to be killed, skinned and
salted down."
CHAPTER XX.
COLONIZATION IS INTRODUCED.
IMMIGRATION AND MINERS. — No sooner had the boundary question
been disposed of than the subject of colonization came forward. The
tide of immigration was pouring into Oregon and miners into
California. Something required to be done on the Britisli side of the
line. English statesmen did not see why the Pacific coast should not
be utilized as colonization ground for the surplus population of Great
Britain. The idea was soon expressed in Parliament. A letter from
the Company was addressed to Lord Grey, stating that their establish-
ment was every year enlarging, and asking for a grant of land.
Negotiations to obtain Vancouver continued until March, 1847, when
Sir J. H. Pelly, Governor of the Hudson Bay Company in London,
informed Earl Grey that the Company would " undertake the govern-
ment and colonization of all the territories belonging to the Crown in.
North America and receive a grant accordingly."
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 185
PROPOSAL TO COLONIZE. — This proposition was too extensive for
the British Government, so the negotiations were suspended until
1848, when a more moderate proposition was made, by which the
Company offered to continue the management of the whole territory
north of the 49th degree ; but was willing to accept Vancouver Island
alone for colonization purposes, and that the Company would not
expect any pecuniary advantage from colonizing the territory in
question ; and that all moneys received for lands or minerals would
be applied to purposes connected with the improvement of the country.
The British Government had not as yet fully determined what should
be done. The Company, however, had a charter prepared asking for
a grant of the whole of Vancouver Island, which was laid before
Parliament.
GLADSTONE IN OPPOSITION. — The Earl of Lincoln in the House of
Commons, 17th July, 1848, made an inquiry which had reference
partly to the Company's powers at the Red River settlement. He
was in favor of the grant to them of Vancouver Island. Mr. Glad-
stone spoke against the measure, being of opinion that the corporation
was not qualified for the undertaking. Mr. Howard believed it would
be most unwise to confer the extensive powers proposed on a fur-
trading Company ; yet as California had lately been ceded to the
United States, it appeared to him a matter of the highest importance
that a flourishing British colony should be established on the western
American coast in order to balance the increased strength of the
United States in that quarter.
LORD JOHN RUSSELL explained that the Company already held
exclusive privileges, which did not expire until 1859 ; that they now
held these western lands by a crown grant dated 13th May, 1838, con-
firming their possession for twenty-one years from that date ; that these
privileges could not be taken from them without breach of principle,
and that if colonization were delayed until the expiration of this term,
squatters from the United States might step in and possess themselves
of the island. The matter was referred to the Privy Council Com-
mittee for Trade and Plantations, who on 4th September reported in
favor of the grant of Vancouver Island to the Company to be vested
in them for colonization purposes.
CONDITION OF GRANT. — The grant of Vancouver Island was made
on the 13th January, 1849, to the Governor and Company of Adven-
turers of England, trading into Hudson Bay, and their successors,
with the royalties of its seas, and all mines belonging to it forever,
186 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
subject only to the domination of the British Crown, and to the
yearly rent of seven shillings payable on the first day of every year-
They were to settle upon the island, within tive years, a colony of
British subjects, and to dispose of land for the purposes of colonization
at reasonable prices, retaining ten per cent, of all the moneys received
from such source, as well as from coal or other minerals, and applying
the remaining nine tenths toward public improvement upon the
island. Such lands as might be necessary for a naval station and for
other government establishments were to be reserved. The Company
should, every two years, report to the Imperial Government the
number of colonists settled in the island and the lands sold. If at
the expiration of five years no settlement should have been made, the
grant should be forfeited ; and if at the expiration of the Company's
license of exclusive trade with the Indians in 1859, the Government
should so elect, it might recover from the Company the island, on
payment of such sums of money as had been actually expended by
them in colonization ; that is to say, the Crown reserved the right
to recall the grant at the end of five years should the Company,
either from lack of ability or will, fail to colonize, and to buy it back
at the end of ten years by the payment of whatever sum the Company
should have in the meantime expended. Except during hostilities
between Great Britain and any foreign power, the Company should
defray all expenses of all civil and military establishments for the
government and protection of the island.
The Company, soon after the grant was made, issued a circular in
which the following proposals were made. They stated they were
ready to make grants of land to any emigrants from Great Britain or
Ireland, or from any other part of her Majesty's dominions who
might be desirous of settling "on the said island on the following
conditions :
1st. That no grant of land shall contain less than twenty acres.
2nd. That purchasers of land shall pay to the Hudson Bay Com-
pany, at their house in London, the sum of £1 per acre for the land
sold to them to be held in free and common socage.
3rd. That purchasers of land shall provide a passage to Vancouver
Island for themselves and their families, if they have any ; or be
provided with a passage (if they prefer it) on paying for the same at
a reasonable rate.
4th. That purchasers of larger quantities of land shall pay the same
price per acre, namely, £1, and shall take out with them five single
men or three married couples, for every hundred acres.
THE FUR-TRADING PERIOD. 187
5th. That all minerals wherever found shall belong to the Com-
pany, who shall have the right of digging for the same, compensation
being made to the owner of the soil for any injury done to the surface ;
but that the said owner shall have the privilege of working for his
own benefit any coal mine that may be had on his land, on payment
of a royalty of two shillings and sixpence per ton.
6lh. That the right of fishing proposed to be given to the Hudson
Bay Company in the grant as printed in the parliamentary papers
relative to Vancouver Island, having been relinquished, every
freeholder will enjoy the right of fishing all sorts of fish in the seas,
bays and inlets thereof, or surrounding the said island ; and that all
the ports and harbors shall be open and free to them and to all
nations either trading or seeking shelter therein. And as it is
essential to the well-being of society that the means of religious
instruction should be within the reach of every member of the com-
munity, provision will be made for the establishment of places of
worship, and for the maintenance of ministers of religion according to
a plan, of which the following is the outline :
(1.) The island is to be divided into districts of from five to ten
square miles where it is practicable.
(2.) A portion of land equal to one-eighth of the quantity sold to
be set aside for the minister of religion. Thus, in a district of ten
square miles, containing 6,400 acres, supposing 5,120 acres sold, the
minister would be entitled to 640 acres, and the remaining 640 acres
would be available for roads, site for church and churchyard, schools
or other public purposes ; the land so reserved or its proceeds to be
appropriated for these purposes in such manner as may appear
advisable.
(3.) With the view of enabling the ministers to bring their lands
into cultivation, a free passage to be granted to such a number of
persons as a settler having an equal quantity of land would be required
to take out, the cost to be paid out of the fund held in trust for the
colony.
(4.) The several apportionments for the purposes of religion to be
conveyed to and to be held by the Governor-in-Council in trust for
the parties appointed to perform the clerical duties of the respective
districts.
The most material provisions of the commission and instructions to
the governor for the government of the colony, are as follows :
The governor is appointed by the Crown, with a council of seven
members likewise so appointed.
The governor is authorized to call assemblies, to be elected by the
inhabitants holding twenty acres of freehold land.
For this purpose it is left to the discretion of the governor to fix
the number of representatives, and to divide the island into electoral
districts if he shall think such division necessary.
The governor will have the usual powers of proroguing or dissolving
such assembly.
188 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Laws will be passed by the governor, council and assembly.
The Legislature thus constituted will have full power to impose
taxes and to regulate the affairs of the Island, and to modify its
institutions subject to the usual control of the Crown.
The Crown has already power under 1st and 2nd George IV.,
c. 66, to appoint Courts of Justices of the Peace in the Indian
territories, of which Vancouver Island forms a part ; but as the
jurisdiction of such courts is, by the 12th section of that Act, limited
in civil cases not involving more than £200 in value, and in criminal
cases to such as are not capital or transportable (all of which must be
tried in Canada), it is intended to extend the jurisdiction created by
the existing Act by the entire removal of those restrictions.
The conditions of the grant were, that the Hudson Bay Company
should pay a yearly rent of seven shillings, to be paid on the 1st day
of January every year, and to hold Vancouver Island " in free and
common socage" for that amount, subject to sundry provisoes,
amongst which were specified : That they should colonize the island ;
dispose of the lands at a reasonable price, except such as might be
required for public purposes ; that all moneys received from the sale
of such lands should (after deducting ten per cent, for the Company)
be applied towards the colonization and improvement of the island ;
make a report of the progress of settlement every two years to one of
the principal Secretaries of State ; and if within the term of five
years, or after the expiration of that term, the settlement of the island
or other conditions of the grant were not fulfilled, the grant and
license to trade with the Indians might be revoked, the Crown paying
to the Company " the money expended by them in colonizing the
Island and the value of their establishments, property and effects
then being thereon."
SECTION III.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD
CHAPTEE I.
THE ISLAND having now been granted for colonization purposes,
it was but reasonable to expect that there would be colonists. It
should next be formed into a colony, and of necessity there must be
a governor, who was to be appointed by the Imperial Government.
Earl Grey wrote to Sir John Pelly, asking his opinion as to the proper
person to be recommended for the office of governor. Sir John
replied, recommending James Douglas, giving as his reasons that.
Douglas was a man of property and a member of the board for the
management of the Company's affairs west of the Rocky Mountains ;
and that the appointment need not be permanent, but merely to fill
in the time, until the colony could afford to pay a governor not
in any way connected with the Company.
Earl Grey did not accept Sir John Felly's
recommendation, but appointed Richard
Blanshard, who left England in 1849, and
reached Victoria on the 10th of March,
1850, via Panama. On landing, he pro-
ceeded to the Company's fort. The officers,
with James Douglas, together with the ser-
vants of the Company, assembled in the
large room. Captain Johnson, of the gov-
ernment vessel Driver, which had conveyed
Mr. Blanshard, also Captain Gordon, of the
Cormorant, and officers, in full uniform,
were present to hear read the commission and proclamation of the
newly arrived governor. Three cheers were given, and Bancroft says :
-"The newly installed governor of this wilderness then returned to
RICHARD BLANSHARD.
190 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
the vessel, there being no government house, inn, or other lodgings
upon the land to receive him."
Ko SALARY WAS ATTACHED to the appointment. A thousand acres
of land had been promised him before leaving London, which promise
the Company construed to mean the use of one thousand acres, not
a full title in fee simple. Bancroft enlarges oti the subject and says:
"When he desired to know where his thousand acres of land were
situated, a rocky eminence two or three miles away was pointed out
to him, where a tract had been set apart for government use in the
vicinity of where the government house stands. Thousands of pounds
would be necessary to make the place respectably habitable, and it
was no wonder the governor's heart should quail or that a huge
disgust should take possession of him. He was further told that the
promised thousand acres were intended for the use of the governor
only while he was upon the island. He might select, subdue and
beautify the tract for his successor, if it pleased him, but he could
not sell or pocket the proceeds of it."
The foregoing and following extracts illustrate how Bancroft
moralizes for Governor Blanshard, and how he substitutes his
pessimistic views for British Columbian history. He says : " The
governor recognized no relation to the Hudson Bay Company other
than that usually existing between ruler and subject. That the*
Company held the contract for colonization, together with a monopoly
of the soil, was nothing to him politically. It might affect appoint-
ments and freedom of legislation, but it could not change the natural
attitudes of crown governor, crown colony, and fur corporation. On
the other hand, the Company cared nothing for the governor. As
their noble friend, Lord Grey, had taken the trouble to appoint him,
and the appointee had taken the trouble to come so far over the two
great oceans, they would treat him politely, that is, if he would be
humble and behave himself; but as for his governing them, that was
simply ridiculous. He might issue all the mandates he pleased, but
he would give little force to his authority without appeal to the chief
factor, to Douglas, to the very man who had opposed him in office.
. . . Meanwhile, time hung heavily on Blanshard's hands. Set
down upon the bare rocks of this mist enveloped isle, with the only
white people on it, those on whom he was dependent for everything,
for subjects, for society, and for creature comforts, opposed to his
rule in all their interests, he felt himself to be utterly powerless and
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 191
»
forlorn, and could scarcely realize that he was governor, except by
taking out his commission and reading it to himself occasionally."
FORT RUPERT, on the north-east corner of Vancouver Island, was
built in 1849. It had the usual stockade, strengthened on the inside
with lateral beams. Round the interior ran a gallery, and at two
opposite corners were flanking bastions mounting four 9-pounders.
Within were the usual shops and buildings, while smaller stockades
protected the garden and outhouses, Although established more as
a protection in developing coal deposits which the Company undertook
to develop there, it was also used as a trading-post, and partially took
the place of Fort McLoughlin, at Milbank Sound, abandoned in 1843.
Captain McNeill, of the Beaver, was placed in charge at Fort
Rupert, with forty men, whites, half-breeds and Canadian Frenchmen,
to construct the fort. George Blenkinsop was second in command.
THE MUIR FAMILY arrived from Scotland this year, having been
brought out by the Company as experienced coal miners. The shaft
was sunk half a mile from the fort. The
natives demanded pay for the land or its
product, and when refused, surrounded the
pit, threatening to kill all engaged should
they persist in the robbery. Muir reported
that Blenkinsop had caused much dissatisfac-
tion amongst the miners, putting three in
irons or in jail because they would not submit
to his arbitrary orders and unreasonable
regulations, which he endeavored to force
upon them in the absence of McNeill. The
result was that, except Muir and certain
members of his family, the men all left for California, and as a
consequence mining was discontinued. Prospects being better at
Nanaimo, Muir and all his family and mining machinery proceeded
to that place, in the spring of 1851.
COAL MINING IN 1853. — From the time that Mackay located the
vein reported by the Indian in 1850, until Muir's arrival, the natives
had taken out considerable coal from Newcastle Island. Mackay
completed the fort at Nanaimo in 1852. The miners had now
increased to such a number as not to be so readily disturbed by the
Indians. The new industry was carried on by the Company with
great energy. Before the end of 1 853, no less than two thousand
tons were shipped, one-half of which was taken out with the
192 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
assistance of the Indians. The Company's price at Nanaimo was
then eleven dollars ; at San Francisco the coal was sold for twenty-
eight dollars per ton. Nanaimo at this early date became the centre
of the coal industry.
VISIT TO FORT RUPERT. — Governor Blanshard, shortly after his
arrival at Victoria, made a trip to Fort Rupert and visited various
points along the coast. Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken, who arrived
by the ship Norman Morrison, Captain Wishart, in March, 1850, as
medical officer to. the Company, was the first magistrate appointed in
the colony. He was stationed at Fort Rupert, where the miners
were behaving disorderly. The news of the California gold excitement
had affected their usual good conduct. During the summer of 1850,
Blenkinsop was placed in charge of the fort in McNeill's absence.
NANAIMO, IN 1853.
At this time there were about thirty individuals within the pickets,
including the miners. In close proximity to the fort was a village of
Indians, which sometimes numbered from two to three thousand.
Dr. Helmcken was instructed by the governor to deal with the
troublesome miners. They, however, refused to submit to the
discipline necessary for the protection of the fort and its inhabitants
from the surrounding tribes. The insubordination increased. Orders
were issued by the governor to Dr. Helmcken to appoint special
constables. Volunteers to act as constables were asked for. No one
would serve against the others. They would not work for the
Company any longer.
The Beaver having arrived, reported the desertion of three of her
sailors to the England, which had also arrived at Fort Rupert for
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 193
•coal. Dr. Helmcken, in his capacity as Justice of the Peace, went
on board the England to inquire about the deserters. He learned
that they had left the vessel, as soon as the Beaver was sighted,
fearing arrest. To make matters worse, the Indians got intoxicating
liquor from the England, and the men in the fort, hearing fresh news
from the crew about the riches of California, were ready to join the
miners to leave the establishment. The England having nearly
completed loading, one day it was found that all the miners had left.
The captain and crew of the England would not give any information
of the absconding miners, although they were supposed to know their
whereabouts.
DESERTION OF SAILORS. — This desertion was a great blow to the
fort. The mining operations were brought to a close. To prevent
other desertions, the gates of the fort were closed against egress or
ingress. Dr. Helmcken and Blenkinsop had to keep close watch, as
they did not know but the excited Indians would attack the fort or
set it on fire. The England was ready to leave. Three men were
reported as being on an island not a great distance off. An Indian
chief, Whale, was sent to bring them back safely, and he would be
rewarded. He returned without them. A few days afterwards, a
rumor was abroad that three men had been murdered by the
Newittees, a tribe living thirty miles from Fort Rupert.
THE INTERPRETER of the fort was sent to inquire into the truth of
the report. He returned next day, having seen the absconding
miners near Newittee, from whom he learned that the murdered men
were sailors. The miners had been waiting for the England to carry
them away. The murdered bodies were found and buried at Fort
Rupert. No charges so far had been made against the officers of the
fort, neither had any effort been made to bring the murderers to
justice.
COURT OF INQUIRY. — In September, H,M.S. Daedalus^ Captain
Wellesley, with Governor Blanshard on board, arrived at Fort
Rupert. He held a court of inquiry in reference to the murdered
sailors, and decided that Dr. Helmcken should go and demand the
surrender of the murderers in the usual manner. The doctor there-
fore set off with a half dozen Indians for Newittee. On entering the
harbor he was met by four hundred Indians, painted black, and
armed with muskets, spears, axes, and other weapons, and making all
the hideous noises which they employ to strike terror into their
opponents. Dr. Helmeken explained his mission to them from the
13
194 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
canoe. The chief answered him that they would not and could not
give up the murderers, but were willing to pay for the murdered men
as many blankets, furs and other articles as might reasonably be
demanded, this being their law in such cases. This was declined,
and they were told they were bringing great misery on themselves
by not acceding to the demand of King George's law. When Dr.
Helmcken returned and made know* to Governor Blanshard and
Captain Wellesley the decision of the Newittees, it was decided ta
send boats and men to seize the murderers or to punish the tribes.
The boats arrived only to find a deserted village.
REWARDS OFFERED. — Next year H.M.S. Daphne went north to
punish the tribe, if they still refused to give up the murderers. On
that occasion the natives were found in a new camp. They peremp-
torily refused the demands of the captain, and therefore the crew
prepared to attack them. The Indians fired, and wounded several of
the sailors. The fire was returned. The Indians, however, fled to
the thick woods near by, where they could not be followed. Only
two Indians were killed in the skirmish. The village huts were then
destroyed, and the Daphne left. Rewards were offered by Governor
Blanshard for the delivery of the murderers. They were captured by
the Indians and shot. The bodies were brought to Mr. Blenkinsop
at Fort Rupert and buried beside the murdered sailors. Blenkinsop
and Dr. Helmcken were exonerated from all blame in the affair.
BLANSHARD DISSATISFIED. — With the exception of the visits as
mentioned, Governor Blanshard remained at Victoria until his depar-
ture for England on September 1st, 1851. His time was occupied,
and it may be said his administration consisted, in giving orders,
which were disregarded, and writing despatches to the home Govern-
ment in which he complained of the actions of the officers of the
Hudson Bay Company. In April of 1851, he was notified by the
managers of the Hudson Bay and Puget Sound Companies that they
were about to occupy some land on the island, and that the sum of
four thousand pounds sterling was to be expended on public buildings
under the governor's direction, but subject to the approval of the
Hudson Bay Company's management. The buildings were to be
erected near the fort.
A DIFFICULT POSITION. — In reply to this, the governor wrote :
" Unless the colony is intended to be merely an enlarged depot of the
Hudson Bay Company, which I do not conceive was the intention of
her Majesty's Government in making the grant of the island, it will.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 195
be a waste of public money to expend it in the way they indicate, as
the buildings will then be surrounded by their reserves, which they
are prepared neither to use nor sell." Governor Blanshard's position
was a most anomalous and trying one, and it seems impossible that
any man, however forcible or capable, could have done more than he
did under the circumstances. The Company's officers and servants
were the only white men in the colony, and they regarded the
appointment of Blanshard as an attempted interference with their
control of the island. This they were not supposed to submit to, and
were not backward in making the fact uncomfortable to her Majesty's
representative.
COLONIZATION PROSPECTUS. — An effort at colonization was made by
the Company. The ship Norman Morrison arrived in March, 1850,
landing eighty emigrants, chiefly miners who had been engaged to
work in the Company's mines, so the apparent attempt to induce
settlement did not amount to anything. It cannot be said that the
settlement of the island made reasonable progress ; nor is this to be
wondered at, when the terms proposed to the settlers are looked at.
According to the terms of their charter, the Company, immediately
after the grant was confirmed, had issued a prospectus and advertised
for colonists. In that prospectus, the price of land was fixed at one
pound per acre, and for every hundred acres purchased at this price,
the investor was obliged to bring, at his own expense, three families or
six single persons. Only a person of considerable means was able to
take advantage of the Company's offer. (For prospectus, see p. 186.)
CALIFORNIA PRICES. — At the same time land could be purchased in
the United States territory, just across the Straits of Fuca, for one
dollar an acre. Another objection was, the settler was completely
in the power of the monopoly. All his supplies he had to buy from
the Company's agents, at their prices, which were regulated by the
California prices, and to the Company he had to look for a market
for his produce. Besides, he came into competition with the Com-
pany's traders, who were the largest farmers on the island. The
result of all this was, what might have been expected, no colonization
worth mentioning.
PRETEXT FOR LEAVING. — Of the unfortunate few actual settlers
who did come out the first year, the greater number, after a very
short time, left their lands to try the gold fields; those who remained
were at continual war with the Company. A writer says : " To the
wretched settler everything seemed to play into the hands of the
106 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
monopoly, and the very fact that some abandoned their farms in
despair and went to the gold fields, was given by the Company, and
accepted by the Imperial Government, as a reasonable excuse for the
failure* to colonize. The weakness of this pretext was apparent to
all familiar with the facts, and it was well known that after the
subsidence of the excitement in California, many who had left the
mines would have been only too willing to take up land and settle
an Vancouver Island under British rule, but were repelled by the
exorbitant terms to which they were required to subscribe."
The following petition will show the feeling of the settlers towards
the Hudson Bay Company :
^To his Excellency RICHARD BLANSHARD, Esquire, Governor of
Vancouver Island:
" MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY, — We, the undersigned inhab-
itants of Vancouver Island, having learned with regret that your
Excellency has resigned the government of this colony, and under-
standing that the government has been committed to a chief factor
of the Hudson Bay Company, cannot but express our unfeigned
surprise and deep concern at such an appointment. The Hudson
Bay Company being, as it is, a great trading body, must necessarily
have interests clashing with those of independent colonists. Most
matters of a political nature will cause a contest between the agents
of the Company and the colonists. Many matters of a judicial nature
will undoubtedly arise, in which the colonists and the Company, or
its servants, will be contending parties, or the upper servants and the
lower servants of the Company will be arrayed one against the
other. We beg to express in the most emphatical and plainest
manner our assurance that impartial decisions cannot be expected
from a governor who is not only a member of the Company, sharing
its profits, his share of such profits rising and falling as they rise and
fall, but is also charged as their chief agent with the sole representa-
tion of their trading interests in this island and the adjacent coasts.
" Furthermore, thus situated the colony will have no security that
its public funds will be duly disposed of for the benefit of the colony
in general, and not turned aside in any degree to be applied to the
private improvement of that tract of land held by them, or otherwise
unduly employed. Under these circumstances, we beg to acquaint
your Excellency with our deep sense of the absolute necessity there
is, for the real good and welfare of the colony, that a council should
be immediately appointed, in order to provide some security that. the
interests of the Hudson Bay Company shall not be allowed to
outweigh and ruin those of the colony in general. We, who join in
expressing these sentiments to your Excellency, are unfortunately
but a very small number, but we respectfully beg your Excellency to
consider that we, and we alone, represent the interests of the island
THE COLONIAL PERtOD. 197
as a free and independent British colony, for we constitute the whole
body of the independent settlers, all the other inhabitants being, in.
some way or other, connected with and controlled by the Hudson Bay
Company, as to be deprived of freedom of action in all matters
relating to the public affairs of the colony, some indeed by their own
confession, as may be proved if necessary. And we further allege
our firm persuasion that the untoward influences to which we have
adverted above are likely, if entirely unguarded against, not only to
prevent any increase of free and independent colonists in the island,
but positively to decrease their present numbers.
"We therefore humbly request your Excellency to take into your
gracious consideration the propriety of appointing a council before
your Excellency's departure ; such being the most anxious and earnest
desire of your Excellency's most obedient and humble servants, and
her Majesty's most devoted and loyal subjects.
" (Signed) James Yates, Robert Staines, James Cooper, Thomas
Monroe, William MacDonald, James Sangster, John Muir, senior,
William Fraser, Andrew Muir, John McGregor, John Muir, junior,
Michael Muir, Robert Muir, Archibald Muir, Thomas Blenkhorn."
PROVISIONAL COUNCIL NOMINATED. — Governor BJanshard, acting
on the above petition, nominated, on the 27th of August, James
Douglas, Jarnes Cooper, and John Tod, a provisional council,
subject to the confirmation of the Imperial Government, to act
until the appointment of another governor. On the 18th o'f
November, 1850, he had tendered his resignation, and asked for
an immediate recall, on the grounds of ill-health, and also because
his private fortune was " utterly insufficient for the mere cost of
living here, so high have prices been run up by the Hudson Bay
Company, and as there are no independent settlers, every requisite
must be obtained from them." Earl Grey replied in a letter, dated
3rd April1, 1851, which was not received until August, accepting
Blanshard's resignation as governor of the colony.
ONLY ONE LAND SALE. — In a despatch sent to Earl Grey, in
February, 1851, when referring to the progress of settlement in
the colony, Governor Blanshard remarks that only one buna fide
sale of land had been made, and that was to W. C. Grant. This
gentleman was formerly a captain of the Second Dragoon Guards,
Scots Greys. He had sold out his commission, and in 1849, brought
out, at his own expense, eight colonists to Vancouver Island. The
settlers came by the ship ffarpooneer, round Cape Horn. Captain
Grant's route was via Panama. In a paper which he read before the
London Geographical Society, Captain Grant corroborates the
governor's statement, and says: t* In June, 1849, the first batch of
198 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
colonists under this system arrived, and they consisted of eight men
brought out by myself, and from that day to this not a single other
iu dependent colonist has come out from the Old Country to settle in
the island ; all the other individuals who have taken up land have
been in the employ of the Company, and brought out to the country
at its expense."
CAPTAIN GRANT'S COLONY. — The location chosen by Captain Grant
for his colony was at Sooke Harbor, about twenty miles from Fort
Victoria. He could not obtain a suitable place nearer the fort, on
account of the Company's reserves and the lands set apart for the
Puget Sound Agricultural Association. He resided on his property
for two years, then leased it to Thomas Monroe and others of his men,
and left for England. On being left alone, the men became careless
and demoralized, so the captain on his return found the farm
neglected, the land lying uncultivated, and the buildings greatly
destroyed. He sold the property to the Muir family for what he
could get for it, and left the country in disgust.
A LARGE RESERVE. — Referring to the Puget Sound Company's
reserve, in a despatch Governor Blanshard says :
"This tract, I am informed, contains nearly thirty square miles of the
best part of the island, and they are already attempting to sell small
lots to their own servants at greatly advanced rates. I consider this
an extremely unfair proceeding. The terms of the grant expressly state
that 'all lands shall be sold, except such as are reserved for public
purposes,' and in consideration of the trouble and expense they may
incur, the Hudson Bay Company are allowed the very handsome
remuneration of ten per cent, on all sales they may effect and on all
royalties. Not satisfied with this, they are grasping at the whole price
of the land by monopolizing this vast district, making it a free gift
to themselves and then selling it for their own profit, as they are
attempting to do. In proof of this, f may mention that an English-
man, of the name of Chancellor, arrived here from California a few
weeks ago, with the intention of settling. The agent offered to sell
him land on the ' Company's reserve,' which he declined, as he
preferred another part of the island, but found so many difficulties
thrown in the way that at Inst he pronounced the purchase
impracticable, and is leaving the colony in disgust. He told me that
he was the forerunner of a party of several British subjects at present
in California, who were merely waiting for his report to decide
whether they would settle in Vancouver Island or the United States."
ANOTHER GRIEVANCE the governor makes the subject of a despatch
of the 12th of February, in reference to an account presented to him
for his approval, which he signed under protest. He said :
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 199
" The account asserts that they have expended $2,736, of which
$2, 1 30 are for goods paid to Indians to extinguish their title to the laud
•about Victoria and Sooke Harbors, the remainder also for goods paid to
Indians for work done for the colony, provisions and ammunition for
the same Indians. The receipts amount to $1,489, from which ten
per cent, is to be deducted according to the charter of grant to the
Hudson Bay Company, and consists entirely of royalties on coal for
the last two years ; land sales there are none, as 1 have previously
informed your Lordship. On examining the account, I found that
for the goods paid to the Indians a price was charged three times as
great as what they are in the habit of paying them at for their own
work. Respecting this, and some inaccuracies I detected in the
account, I addressed a letter to the agent. He corrected the errors,
but made no alteration in tiie prices, and in the course of the
•conversation gave me to understand that they did not expect the
charter of grant to be renewed at the expiration of the five years,
January, 1854, and that they would be entitled to a reimbursement
of their expenditure. At this rate they may continue for the next
three years, paying away a few goods to Indians to extinguish their
•claims to the soil, and by attaching an ideal value to their goods,
they will at the end of that time appear as creditors of the colony to
an overwhelming amount, so that the foundation will be laid of a
•colonial debt, which will forever prove a ' burden.' "
SAILED FOR ENGLAND. — Nothing now remained for Governor Blan-
shard to do on the island, so he took passage on the ship Daphne,
for Panama, September 1st, 1851. He reached England in due time,
and subsequently lived as a country gentleman, highly respected,
on his estate near London, dividing his time between the country
residence and the city mansion. Towards the end of his life his eye-
sight failed, and before his death he became totally blind. He died,
June 5th, 1894. His will, when proved July 3rd, showed his per-
sonal estate valued at £130,000, or about $650,000. His real estate
he left to his nephew, Colonel R. P. Davies.
GOVERNOR DOUGLAS SWORN IN. — The Provisional Council were soon
relieved of their responsibility, for in the month of November, 1851,
Chief Factor Douglas's commission arrived from England, and he was
duly proclaimed and sworn in as governor of the colony of Vancouver
Island. Governor Douglas had stipulated for a salary as governor,
and was allowed £800 in addition to his former emoluments as chief
factor of the Hudson Bay Company. The machinery of the Company
was about as perfect as it well could be. Apart from the difficulty
.of acting in a dual capacity, he was well fitted for the position.
200 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
A COMPLIMENTARY NOTICE. — A writer in "Pool's Queen Char-
lotte Island," says of him :
" The long services of Sir James Douglas to the Hudson Bay Com-
pany, his intimate acquaintance with the various tribes of natives-
and his knowledge of the requirements for developing the resources,
of this, the most important colony of England in the Pacific, rendered
him at that epoch eminently qualified to fulfil the duties of governor
of our North-West American possessions. I have no oV>ject in
bepraising him other than a desire to record my humble sense of his
eminent merits. But such I know to be the verdict of all unbiased
men who had the advantage of living under his wise and able
administration."
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR OF QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. — On the 7th
of March, 1853, Governor Douglas acknowledges receipt of a despatch
(No. 5), dated 27th September, 1852, with enclosures, and says,
inter alia :
"I have received her Majesty's commission as lieutenant-governor
of Queen Charlotte Islands, with certain limited powers (dated 9th
July, 1852), as therein described, and while I return thanks for this-
high mark of confidence, which I shall endeavor to exercise for the
honor and advantage of the Crown, I cannot forbear expressing a
feeling of diffidence in my ability to discharge the duties of another
office, involving a serious amount of labor and responsibility, while I
have no assistance whatever in the administration of public affairs ;
and while every function of the government, whether military, judicial,
executive, or clerical, must be performed by me alone, — a range of
duties too extensive and dissimilar in their nature for my unaided
strength to attend to with satisfaction to myself or advantage to the
public. I will, however, most gladly do everything in my power
to meet the views and wishes of her Majesty's Government ; trusting
that you will forward, from time to time, such instructions as may be
necessary for my guidance, and a selection of legal works containing
the forms of process observed in the Yice- Admiralty Courts, and
developing the principles on which their decisions are founded.''
THE COLONIAL PERIOD.
201
CHAPTEE II.
GOVERNOR DOUGLAS NOMINATES HIS COUNCIL.
IN 1853 ONLY 450 WHITE SETTLERS. — Roderick Finlayson was
nominated one of the Provisional Council, in the place of Douglas
appointed governor. The work of governing the few settlers was
not very arduous between the years 1851 arid 1856. It continued
without very much friction until 1854, wheirthe first five years of the
charter of the island would cease, provided settlement did not increase.
To meet this difficulty several of the leading officers of the Company,
including Douglas, Work, Tod, Tolmie, and Finlayson, purchased
wild lands as convenient to the fort as possible, paying at the rate
of one pound per acre. Outside settlers were dissatisfied and sent a
petition in 1853 to the Imperial Parliament that the grant be not
renewed to the Company. The settlers, in 1853, numbered 450 white
men on the island, 300 of whom were at Victoria, 125 at Nanaimo,
and 25 at Fort Rupert. Up to that time 19,807 acres of land had
been applied for, 10,172 being for the Hudson Bay Company, 2,374
for the Puget Sound Company, and the rest for private individuals.
The increase of population now pointed to
the necessity of a judicial functionary. Mr.
DAVID CAMERON, of Nanaimo, was appointed
Chief Justice of the colony — salary. £100 per
annum. The appointment was ratified by
the home Government. The Chief Justice
removed to Victoria in 1854. Previous to
this there had been neither judiciary nor
constabulary, excepting Dr. Helmcken, who
was appointed first Justice of the Peace, in
1850, bv Governor Blanshard. Chief Justice
DAVID CAMERON. »
Cameron was superseded in 1858 by Mr.
Needham, who, in 1859, was transferred to fill a similar position in
the Island of Trinidad, West Indies. Mr. Justice Needham was
knighted, and was succeeded by Sir Matthew B. Begbie, who continued
SIR MATTHEW KKttBIK.
202 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
to fill the position of Chief Justice of British Columbia until his
death, which took place June llth, 1894, in the seventy-fifth year
of his age.
SIR MATTHEW was accorded a public funeral. The funeral service
was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Jenns, in St. John's Church, where
Sir Matthew had worshipped since 1860.
The church was heavily draped and hand-
somely decorated with flowers. A simple,
black covering, relieved by a neat cross of
passion flowers, marked the late Chief Jus-
tice's seat in the choir. The pall-bearers were
Hon. A. N. Richards, Q.C., D. R. Harris,
Hon. J. S. Helmcken, M.D., Justices Crease,
McCreight and Drake, Hon T. Davie, Q.C.,
Premier, Hon. J. H. Turner, and Hon. C. E.
Pooley, Q.C. Chief mourners, Hon. P.
O'Rielly and Dr. O. M. Jones. His Honor
the Lieutenant-Governor and Admiral Stephenson occupied the
carriage next to the chief mourners. Among the clergy present were
his Lordship Bishop Perrin, who pronounced the benediction at the
grave ; Revs. Canon Beanlands, Hewitson, Lipscome, and Rev. Mr.
Norwood, of the Royal Arthur.
An obituary notice says : " In the decease of Sir Matthew Baillie
Begbie, not only a pioneer of pioneers is missing, but a figure and
personality indissolubly and actively associated with the very begin-
ning of this province, and its subsequent affairs and history up to the
present time. Born in Edinburgh in 1819, Sir Matthew was the
eldest son of Colonel T. S. Begbie of her Majesty's 44th Foot. St.
Peter's College, Cambridge, was his Alma Mater, where he took the
degree of B.A. in 1841, and that of M.A. three years later, in 1844,
in which year he was called to the bar in Lincoln's Inn. He prac-
tised his profession till 1858, when, owing to the ability he had
displayed while a barrister, he received the appointment of judge of
the court of the colony of Vancouver Island. British Columbia was
then limited to the mainland. In August, 1866, the order-in-council
uniting Vancouver Island to British Columbia was passed by the
Imperial Government, but it was not proclaimed here till November
17th, and simultaneously Mr. Begbie was created Chief Justice of
the united colony, succeeding Mr. Justice (afterwards Sir Joseph)
Needham. Under the provisions of the British North America Act,
the practice and the constitution of the courts of law in British Col-
umbia remained unchanged when this country entered the Canadian
confederation in 1871, consequently Mr. Begbie continued in the
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 203
office of Chief Justice, with the added honor of knighthood, which
was conferred upon him for services which all acknowledged to have
been of incalculable value to the country, its safety and well-being,
and the performance of which at certain times involved serious
personal danger and frequently the risk of his life. In the early days,
until the arrival of Attorney-General Carey, Sir Matthew was also
general adviser to Sir James Douglas, who was governor of both
colonies. Sir Matthew was a bachelor."
On the morning of the funeral, a large number of the members of
the Victoria bar met in the court house to pass a resolution of
condolence, which was adopted unanimously, as follows :
"Resolved, That the members of the bar now assembled, on behalf
of themselves and brethren throughout the Province, express their
deep sorrow at the death of Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie, Knight, late
the Chief Justice of British Columbia.
"Throughout a long life he occupied a distinguished position as a
lawyer ar*d a judge, and, although he reached an advanced age, he
was, up to within a few weeks of his death, actively engaged in the
performance of the duties pertaining to his high office.
" His removal takes away one of the most prominent figures con-
nected with the early history of this province, a man whose strong
individuality and uprightness have left a lasting impress upon every
branch of our judicial system.
" At a period when firmness and discretion in the administration
of justice were most needed, his wise and fearless action as a judge
caused the law to be honored and obeyed in every quarter.
" When the settlement of the country advanced, and the necessity
for preventing lawless outbreaks became less frequent, he, as the
Chief Justice of our Supreme Court, manifested an ability which
showed that his intellectual faculties were as keen and active as his
character was stable and commanding.
"He was a man of scholarly attainments, and his versatility of
talent evoked the admiration of all who came in contact with him.
"As a judge, the tendency of his thought was eminently logical,
his judgment was prompt and decisive, his integrity was never
questioned.
" His private life was in every way worthy of his public position.
Plain and unassuming in manner, courteous and dignified in his
speech, loyal to his companions, firm in his friendships, of a generous
and sympathetic nature, unostentatiously good and silently charitable,
he will be missed not only by his professional associates, but by many
who knew him only as a kind and steadfast friend.
" He has departed from us full of years and honors, but his memory
will remain as that of one whose judicial career has been without
stain, and whose personal worth has won our deepest respect and
affection/'
204- HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
PETITION FROM SETTLERS. — The petition referred to, from the-
settlers, asked that the Company's grant should not be renewed at
the expiration of the live years' term, and that the island be taken
under the immediate management of the Imperial Government. It
also asked that a governor and subordinate functionaries be appointed
and paid by the British Government ; that courts of justice be
established ; that the House of Assembly consist of nine members, to-
be elected every three years; that the executive council be separated
from the legislative ; that the elective franchise, then only enjoyed
by persons holding twenty acres of land, be extended to include
persons occupying houses, or paying rent to the extent of ten pounds
per annum, or owning farm lands to the extent of ten pounds, or
city property to the value of twenty pounds; and that the price of
public lands be reduced to ten shillings per acre, payable in five
annual instalments, interest at the rate of five per cent, per annum.
LICENSES FOR REVENUE. — Governor Douglas and his council of
three framed the laws and executed them. The revenue of the colony
was small, derived from the sales of lands and from houses licensed
to sell spirituous liquor. The public-house keepers each, on payment
of a license of $600 per annum, could deal in spirituous liquors
with only one restriction — they were not allowed to sell to
Indians. The imposition of the tax on licensed houses was discussed
in the council for some days before a decision was arrived at.
Finally, the tax of $600 was levied on each of three retail dealers,
and one was taken out by the Hudson Bay Company. Notwith-
standing the settlers' petition against renew-
ing the charter of the island to the Com-
pany, it was renewed for another five years.
The expenditure of the colony in 1855 was
about $20,000. Up to the 19th of July,
1855, the total amount received from land
sales was £6,871 9s. 4d. The moneys re-
ceived by the Hudson Bay Company were
remitted to London.
NEW LEGISLATURE. — The time had now
arrived when a legislature should be estab-
lished in the colony of Vancouver Island in
accordance with British law and practice. To accomplish this, Mr.
Labouchere, Secretary of State for Britain, sent instructions on 28th
February, 1856, to Governor Douglas, instructing him to at once call
CAPTAIN JAMES COOPER.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 205
together, in accordance with the terms of his commission, a meeting
of his council, which at the time consisted of John Tod, senior mem-
ber, James Cooper, Roderick Finlayson and John Grant. The result
was the issuing of a proclamation, on the IGtlj of June, 1856, dividing
the island into four electoral districts, apportioning the number of
representatives and appointing returning officers for each. The four
•districts were : Victoria, to be represented by three members, Andrew
Muir, returning officer; Esquimalt and Metchosin, two members,
H. W. 0. Margary, returning officer; Nanaimo, one member, C. E.
Stewart, returning officer ; Sooke. one member, John Muir, jun.,
returning officer.
WRITS CALLING A GENERAL ASSEMBLY of freeholders, for the purpose
of electing members to serve in the Assembly, were made returnable
on the 4th of August following. The qualification of members who
might offer for election was placed at " ownership of freehold to the
amount of £300 or more." The property qualification of voters
remained as fixed in the governor's commission, namely, " twenty
acres or more of freehold land." Governor Douglas wrote to the
Secretary of State : " There will be some difficulty in finding properly
qualified representatives, and I fear that our early attempts at legisla-
tion will make a sorry figure, though at all events they will have the
effect you contemplate of removing all doubts as to the validity of
our local enactments."
ELECTIONS WERE DULY HELD, according to the notices. In three
of the districts, however, the electors were so few in number that the
returns were little more than mere nominations.
DR. HELMCKEN having been nominated for Esquimalt District,
made the following speech, the first political speech made by the
Doctor, and the first on record made in the colony. On rising, being
received with hearty cheers, he said :
"GENTLEMEN, — I love to hear that British cheer once more. It is
long, long since I listened to its music. That cheer has been the
terror of many a foreign foe, in many a bloody fray ; that cheer has
urged many a patriot onwards in the cause of freedom, and fostered
efforts for his country's good ; that cheer, gentlemen, has taken away
much of the diffidence I felt in placing myself before you.
" Gentlemen, it is not an unusual thing to see me at Craigflower
about this time of the day, but on this occasion the circumstances, as
you have heard, are peculiar and not professional. I hold in my
hand a paper signed by the most influential and respectable electors
of this district, requesting that I would allow myself to be put in
206 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
nomination as one of their members for the forthcoming Legislative
Assembly, and, gentlemen, after reading this invitation, and finding
it signed by at least one-half of the electors, I at once resolved to
throw away all private reasons, all private interests, and devote me
to my public duty. I determined to quit my hitherto quiet and
unobtrusive life, to launch upon the stormy ocean of politics, and to
brave the restless sea of public opinion. Whether I have been right
in so doing, remains for you, electors of Esquimalt, to determine this
day — a day historical, a day glorious in the annals of this island ; a
day bright as the sun that shines o'er our heads, and almost equally
portentious in its course ; a day that the little ones, who now sur-
round these hustings, will talk of, when we shall be no more !
"Gentlemen, there is another reason that had its weight. I was
given to understand — -and to our shame be it spoken — that it was
somewhat difficult to find or to get the requisite number of members
to constitute the Assembly.
"Gentlemen, this is not the way our forefathers struggled for
freedom ; this is not the way in which our ancestors wrenched their
rights from tyrant hands ; this is not the way by which liberty was
advanced, even in our own day, but by more constitutional means.
" Gentlemen, how disgraceful it would have been to Britons to
have a document go home, stating it was impossible to constitute an
Assembly in this colony ! When, indeed, would you have had the
privilege granted again? In some measure to prevent such a dis-
grace, and to keep the privileges so liberally, and at an unusually
early period, bestowed by our Mother Country, I resolved to throw
myself into the gap and try to save this, our infant country.
" Electors of Esquimalt. yon have been, I am sorry to say, too
lukewarm in this aH'air. Is it for you, Englishmen, to despise these
rights so hardly gained by your forefathers, and almost sanctified by
their blood 1 Is it for you, sons of ' Bonnie Scotland,' frae Maiden-
kirk to ' John o' Groats,' — I say, is it for you to despise these privi-
leges, which your friends and countrymen deem their greatest honor,
and are proud to own ?
"Gentlemen, I trust you will pardon this digression — a digression
caused by the excitement of the occasion.
" Gentlemen, I offer myself to you. I am, it is true, a little man,
but with a head large enough, and 1 hope it contains sufficient sense
to know what may be for your interest, what for your detriment. I
am not vain or egotistic enough to suppose myself the best man, but
such as I am, if you like, I'm yours.
" It would be useless for me to enter upon any political disquisi-
tion. I know not of any great political question requiring discussion ;
we have no parties or party purposes to serve, but should you wish
to ask any questions, or require any explanation, I shall be most
happy to satisfy you to the best of my ability.
"Electors of Esquimalt, I now ask your votes and suffrages; if
you consider they may be entrusted to my keeping, I can only say
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 207
that to such measures as may be brought forward calculated to
advance your interest and the interest of the colony generally, I will
give my hearty and undivided support ; but such measures as may
be deemed to your detriment and injurious to your welfare, shall
receive my strenuous and determined opposition.
" Gentlemen, I have finished. I know not what powers have been
granted to the Assembly, but hope we shall learn soon enough. If
you think me worthy of your confidence, and elect me to serve you
in this, the first parliament, I shall feel proud, and deem the honor
great, but if you find any other candidate more to your taste, more
fit, more talented or more disinterested, I will retire without chagrin,
and not bear malice or ill-will against any man."
There were five rival candidates in Victoria, who fiercely contested
for the honor of being the first representatives in the new Assembly.
The members returned for Victoria were J. D. Pemberton, Joseph
Yates, and E. E. Langford. The others were returned by acclama-
tion, viz. : John Muir, Sooke District ; John F. Kennedy, Nanaimo
District; and Thomas Skinner and J. S. Helmcken, Esquimalt Dis-
trict. The first Assembly met on the 12th of August, 1856. Dr.
Helmcken was chosen Speaker.
GOVERNOR DOUGLAS delivered the following address in a dignified
and impressive manner :
" Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and of the House of Assembly :
"I congratulate you most sincerely on this memorable occasion —
the meeting in full convention of the General Assembly of Vancouver
Island, an event fraught with consequences of the utmost importance
to its present and future inhaV)itants, and remarkable as the first
instance of representative institutions being granted in the infancy
of a British colony. The history and actual position of this colony
are marked by many other remarkable circumstances. Called into
existence by an Act of the Supreme Government, immediately after
the discovery of gold in California, it has maintained an arduous and
incessant struggle with the disorganizing effects on labor of that
discovery. Remote from every other British settlement, wiih its
commerce trammelled, and met by restrictive duties on every side,
its trade and resources remain undeveloped. Self-supporting, and
defraying all the expenses of its own government, it presents a
striking contrast to every other colony in the British empire, and,
like the native pines of its storm-beaten promontories, it has acquired
a slow but hardy growth. Its future growth must, under Providence,
in a great measure depend on the intelligence, industry and enterprise
of its inhabitants, and upon the legislative wisdom of this Assembly.
"Gentlemen, I look forward with confidence and satisfaction to the
aid and support which the executive power may in the future expect
208 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
to derive from your local experience and knowledge of the wishes of
the people and the wants of the country. I feel assured that as
public men, holding a solemn and momentous trust, you will, as a
governing principle, strive with one accord to promote the true and
substantial interests of the country ; and that our legislative labors
will be distinguished alike by prudence, temperance, and justice to
all classes.
"Gentlemen, I am happy to inform you that her Majesty's Gov-
ernment continues to express the most lively interest in the progress
and welfare of this colony. Negotiations are now pe'nding with the
Government of the United States, which may probably terminate in
an extension of the reciprocity treaty to Vancouver Island. To show
the commercial advantages connected with that treaty, I will just
mention that an impost of thirty pounds is levied on every hundred
pounds of British produce which is now sent to San Francisco or to
any other American port. The reciprocity treaty utterly abolishes
these fearful imposts, and establishes a system of free trade in the
produce of British colonies. The effects of that measure in develop-
ing the trade and natural resources of the colony can, therefore, be
hardly over-estimated. The coal, the timber, and the productive
fisheries of Vancouver Island will assume a value before unknown,
while every branch of trade will start into activity and become the
means of pouring wealth into the country. So unbounded is the
reliance which I place in the enterprise and intelligence possessed by
the people of this colony, and in the advantages of their geographical
position, that with equal rights and a fair field, I think they may
enter into a successful competition with the people of any other
-country. The extension of the reciprocity treaty to this island once
gained, the interests of the colony will become inseparably connected
with the principles of free trade, a system which I think it will be
•sound policy on our part to encourage.
"Gentlemen, the colony has been again visited this year by a large
party of northern Indians, and their presence has excited in our
minds a not unreasonable degree of alarm. Through the blessing of
God they have been kept from committing acts of open violence, and
been quiet and orderly in their deportment ; yet the presence of large
bodies of armed savages, who have never felt the restraining influ-
ences of moral and religious training, and who are accustomed to
follow the impulses of their own evil natures more than the dictation
of reason or justice, gives rise to a feeling of insecurity which must
exist as long as the colony remains without military^ protection.
Her Majesty's Government, ever alive to the dangers which beset the
colony, have arranged with the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
that the President frigate should be sent to Vancouver Island, and
the measure will, I have no doubt, be carried into effect without
delay. I shall, nevertheless, continue to conciliate the good-will of
the native Indian tribes by treating them with justice and forbear-
.ance, and by rigidly protecting their civil and agrarian rights. Many
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 209
•cogent reasons of humanity and sound policy recommend that course
to our attention, and I shall therefore rely upon your support in
-carrying such measures into effect. We know, from our own expe-
rience, that the friendship of the natives is at all times useful, while
it is no less certain that their enmity may become more disastrous
than any other calamity to which the colony is directly exposed.
" Gentlemen of the House of Assembly, according to constitutional
usage you must originate all money bills. It is therefore your special
province to consider the ways and means of defraying the ordinary
-expenses of the Government, either by levying a customs duty on
imports, or by a system of direct taxation. The poverty of the
country and the limited means of a population struggling against the
pressure of numberless privations, must necessarily restrict the
amount of taxation ; it should, therefore, b£ our constant study to
'regulate the public expenditure according to the means of the country,
and to live strictly within our income. The common error of running
into speculative improvements, entailing debts upon the colony for a
very uncertain advantage, should be carefully avoided. The demands
upon the public revenue will, at present, chiefly arise from the
improvement of the country, and providing for the education of the
young, the erection of places for public worship, the defence of the
country, and the administration of justice.
"Gentlemen, I feel, in all its force, the responsibility now resting
upon us. The interests and well-being of thousands yet unborn may
be affected by our decisions, and they will reverence or condemn our
acts according as they are found to influence, for good or evil, the
events of the future.
" Gentlemen of the House of Assembly, I have appointed Chief
Justice Cameron to administer the oath of allegiance to the members
of your House, and to receive your declarations of qualification ; you
may then proceed to choose a Speaker and to appoint the officers
necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the House.
"JAMES DOUGLAS, Governor"
THE SPEECH PROM THE THRONE was received with great attention.
It referred, as will be seen, to the duties and responsibilities of the
representatives ; to the prospective growth of the country, its geo-
graphical position for the advantages of trade, etc. The place of one
of the members for Victoria District, Mr. Langford, was declared
vacant, on the ground of his not possessing property qualification. Mr.
J. W. McKay was elected in his stead. The Assembly was in full
working order by the 13th of November. On December 18th, a bill
was passed granting £130 for the payment of the ordinary expenses
of the House; and on the 9th of January, 1857, Governor Douglas
writes to the Secretary of State : " I am now preparing a bill for
imposing a customs duty on imports, as a means of meeting the
14
210
HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
ordinary expenses of the Government; but the subject must be-
approached witli caution, as there is a very general feeling in both
Council and Assembly against taxation in any form, and I am
prepared to encounter much clamor and opposition in carrying so
unpopular a measure through the House."
A HAPPY FAMILY. — Bancroft in his " History of British Columbia,"
No. 1, DR. HELMCKEN in 1894, and also No. 7 in 1856 ; No. 3, J. W. McKxv in 1894, and No. 5
in 1856; No. 6, J. D. PEMBERTON ; No. 2, J. YATES ; No. 4, THOS. SKINNER, 1856.
gives the following version: "They were, forsooth, a happy family,
those fur-hunting legislators. The Douglas was all in all lord para-
mount, dominator, imperial viceroy and fur-trader's factor-in-chief.
Work. Finiayson and Tod, chief factor, chief trader, and ancient
pensioner, respectively, of the Hudson Bay Company, comprised both
secret council and house of lords. The 'seven wise men,' repre-
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 211
senting the seven districts of the island, as a House of Assembly,
were, in their several vocations, almost wholly of the monopoly.
Helmcken, was staff doctor of the Company ; Pemberton, surveyor
and ardent attache ; McKay, clerk of the Company ; Muir, former
servant of the Company and father of the sheriff; Skinner, agent of
the Puget Sound Agricultural Company ; Kennedy, a retired officer
of the Company, appointed by the Governor and Council to represent
the District of Nanaimo ; Yates, by the grace of the Company, mer-
chant. D. Cameron, brother-in-law of the governor, was chief justice,
and A. C. Anderson, retired chief trader, was collector of customs.
Thus," continues Bancroft, "the Government of Vancouver Island
continued until 1859, at which time terminated the second five years
of the Hudson Bay Company's colonial domination. During his
term of office, four distinct and often antagonistic interests looked to
Douglas as their head ; namely, the Hudson Bay Company's fur
trade, the colony of Vancouver Island, the Puget Sound Agricul-
tural Company, and the Nanaimo Coal Company. It was impossible
for him to do justice to each of these several trusts."
INDIVIDUAL VIEWS. — At this late date it would be difficult to say
positively whether the seven new members were a " happy family."
The result of the management of affairs in the colony during the
time which had passed since Governor Douglas was appointed, does
not indicate that because some of them were related to the governor,
or had at one time been servants of the Company, unfitted them for
the positions they were called upon to occupy. Several of those were
evidently opposed to the Company, and frequently expressed their
views and opinions fearlessly and openly against them. The governor
had to fill a most difficult position. He had but few to choose from.
Nearly every white man in the colony had been brought there by the
Company. The Imperial Government must have been satisfied with
his administration, when later they appointed him to the governor-
ship of the mainland in addition to that of Vancouver Island. The
formation of the new Assembly provided a way of raising revenue by
taxation, by giving the parties taxed a voice in the matter of
representation, which they did not formerly possess when licenses
were placed on liquor dealers by the governor and his provisional
council.
REV. R. J. STAINES. — One of the leading men who, after a time,
opposed the Company, was the Rev. Robt. J. Staines, who came from
England in 1849, as chaplain to the Company at Fort Victoria. He
212 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
was accompanied by his wife, and together were to teach and keep a
boarding school, etc. They taught the first school in Victoria. Mr.
Finlayson speaking of them says :
" At this time there were no streets, and the traffic cut up the
thoroughfares so that everyone had to wear sea boots to wade through
the mud and inire. It was my duty to receive the clergyman, which
Ii did, but felt ashamed to see the lady come ashore. We had to lay
planks through the mud in order to get them safely to the fort. They
looked wonderingly at the bare walls of the building, and expressed
deep surprise, stating that the Company in England had told them
this and that, and had promised them such and such.
" At all events the rooms were fitted up as best could be done.
Mr. Staines had been guaranteed £340 a year for keeping a boarding
school, and ,£200 as chaplain. The services were carried on in the
mess-room of the fort, which was made to serve for almost every
purpose. Here also was erected a temporary pulpit, and prayers were
held every Sunday. Staines purchased some land on the same condi-
tions as others ; but he too became much dissatisfied with things, —
with Douglas and his administration as governor of the colony.
" Mr. Staines quarrelled with the Company," Bancroft states,
" accusing them of failure to keep their promises with him, more
particularly in the matter of the prices of goods, which, he had been
assured before leaving London, should be furnished him at servants'
rates, that is, fifty per cent, on cost ; instead of which he was in reality
charged, in some instances, two thousand per cent, profit. Hence he
found it hard to ask a blessing on their mercenary souls ; and although
obliged to do so twice or thrice every week, or forfeit his pay,
inwardly he cursed them. But to the Company his blessing and his
curse were one. It was out of regard for public sentiment, to which
even the most powerful monopoly cannot afford to be wholly indif-
ferent, that the fur-traders tolerated gospel ministers, rather than in
the expectation that the arm of Omnipotence would be, through such
means, swayed more especially in their interests. At an early day
Mr. Staines joined the settlers' faction and waged open war on the
Company, still continuing, however, his heavenly ministrations."
DEATH OF MR. STAINES. — Dissatisfaction reached such a pitch
amongst the settlers that they resolved to send Mr. Staines to
England (1853) to remonstrate with the Imperial authorities upon
the injustice of continuing what they called, "so tyrannical a rule."
It was arranged that he should leave by a certain vessel, which was
to sail from Sooke at a given time, but not arriving as agreed the
vessel left without him. Shortly afterwards another vessel was
leaving Sooke for San Francisco, and on her Mr. Staines embarked.
Scarcely, however, had the ship cleared the Straits of Fuca, off Cape
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 213
Flattery, when a squall struck her, throwing her on her beam ends.
Instantly she was water-logged and at the mercy of the waves. Most
of the crew were at once swept overboard. Mr. Staines, who was
below, remained there until he died. The only survivor of the wreck
was rescued by a passing ship. He furnished particulars of the sad
accident, but being greatly exhausted by fatigue and exposure, died
soon after his rescue.
REMINISCENCES. — In " Reminiscences of 1850," a gentleman writing
in 1887 refers to Mr. and Mrs. Staines in Fort Victoria. Describing
14 Bachelor's Hall," he says : " It was a portion of a large story -and-a-
half building, having a common room in the centre, and two rooms
on each side, with a door opening into each. One of these rooms
was occupied as the 'surgery/ the other two rooms by officers of the
Company. The remainder of the building (it occupied the site of the
now Bank of British Columbia) belonged to the chaplain and lady,
Mr. and Mrs. Staines, who kept a boarding-school for young ladies
therein — and a splendid teacher and preceptress she was." Mrs.
Staines, a short time after the death of Mr. Staines, returned to
England.
The same writer, in his reminiscences, also states that in March,
1850, he happened to spend a day in Victoria when the ship Norman
Morrison had arrived from England, bringing about eighty immigrants.
Nearly the whole of them were under engagement to the Hudson
Bay Company at £25 per annum.
" On his arrival at the fort," the same writer says, " he was
presented to Governor Blanshard, Chief Factor Douglas, Mr. Finlayson
and some other gentlemen, and turned over to the care of Dr. A,
Benson, with whom he had been acquainted in England — a well
clothed man known by the sobriquet, "commodore.' There he lived
in ' Bachelor's Hall,' a gentleman, good and kind as ever ; but his
garments ! — he had on a pair of * sea-boots,' into one of which he had
managed to put one leg with the pants inside, the other with the
pants-leg outside. The other parts of his dress were equally
conspicuous by their eccentricity.
"' Ah,' said he, 'you laugh, but if you were to remain here a few
months you would of necessity become the same ! ' He had a
coffee-pot on the stove, and such a coffee pot ! The stove was square,
made of sheet iron, bent in all directions by the heat. It had a cast
iron door, and it was fed with large billets of wood, of which plenty
existed in the 'Hall.' The stove looked mean and dilapidated, but
it was found capital for roasting native oysters upon.
" The ' surgery ' was consigned to me as my room pro tern. In it
there was a ' cot ' slung to the ceiling, which I was to use as a
' hammock.' The room was unique. It contained a gun case and a
few shelves, with drugs in bottles or in paper in every direction.
The tin lining of a 'packing case' served for a counter. C.iptain
214 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Grant, of Sooke, arrived in the evening and domiciled in Captain
Nevin's room. Mackay and the doctor retired to theirs, and I turned
into the hammock. I slept well that night, and was awakened in
the morning by the loud ringing of a bell, and a concert proceeding
from a host of curs — these curs assembled under the bell at every
meal and, looking up to it, howled — the howling being taken up by
some dogs in the Indian village opposite.
" Benson called out : * Get up quickly ; that is the breakfast bell.'
" I got up, and so did Captain Grant. Whilst dressing I heard
the following dialogue : * Dear, oh dear, where is the soap ] Captain
Grant, have you my soap 1 '
" 'Aye, aye,' was the response, * you shall have it directly.'
"'Why, what has become of my razor1? Grant, have you my
razor 1 '
"'Yes; nearly finished; you can have it directly.' And he got
it and shaved. Then I heard : c Where is my shirt 1 I shall be late
for breakfast. Grant, have you taken my shirt 1 '
" ' I have, my dear fellow ; I want to appear at table decent.'
" ' That is too bad, Grant ; it is the only clean shirt I have to put
on!'
" ' Never mind, old fellow, put on your old one ; it will be clean
enough. Mine has not been washed for I don't know how long ;
more than a week anyhow. You can get yours washed, and Benson,
send mine too, please.'
" We all got to breakfast, and after returning, the following was
said : ' Bless me ! where is my tobacco 1 I left half a case of
" Cavendish" under the bed/
'• ' Oh, yes,' says Grant, ' I took it, my good fellow, to pay my
Indians with. We'll get some more soon ! '
"After having smoked a pipe of peace, all was made right, for
Grant was a splendid fellow and every inch a gentleman — he had
been a captain in the ' Scotch Greys.' Benson now insisted on
showing me the ' lions ' of Victoria. He put on his sea-boots, with
legs of pants inside ; I had only my London-made, thin soled. His
were dirty ; mine, nicely polished. He was cute ; I, a greenhorn :
so the doctor ' practised ' a little on my verdancy.
"The 'lions' of Victoria then were the fort and its contents. It
had been built by Mr. Finlayson. The fort was nearly a quadrangle,
about one hundred yards long and wide, with bastions at two corners,
containing cannon. The whole was stockaded with cedar posts, about
six or eight inches in diameter, and about fifteen feet in length.
They had been brought from near 'Mount Douglas,' which was then
called 'Cedar Hill'). There were inside about a dozen large,
story and-a-half buildings, say 60 x 40, roofed with long and wide
strips of cedar bark. The buildings were for the storage of goods,
Indian trading-shop, and a large shop for general trade. It contained
everything required.
"The mess-room, off from which lived Mr. Douglas and family, was
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 215
•at the corner of (now) Fort and Government Streets. The 'counting-
house' was near (now) Wharf Street. Mr. Finlayson occupied this
post and lived there with his family. A belfry stood in the middle
of the yard, and its bell tolled for meals, for deaths, for weddings,
for church service, for fires, and sometimes for warnings. At meal
time it was assisted by a chorus of curs. On Wharf Street, there
•existed a flagstaff, and near it a well, some eighty feet deep, but
which contained very litt e water. The fort yard was muddy, and
the side-walk to the stores consisted of two or three poles, along
which Benson trudged, but off which my boots slipped every few
steps ! So my boots and my pants were not a little muddy, and the
wretch Benson laughed at me, saying, ' I told you so ! you'll soon be
.like me ; if you remain here ! '
"For all this exertion, I saw nothing but 'furs' and stores. Not
very many of the former, as they had been already packed, to be sent
.home by the returning ship Gorman Morrison, Captain Wishart
•being her commander. As I could not very well get much muddier,
we went outside the 'fort,' and there lay the Beaver, Captain Dodd
in command, so clean, so nice, so spruce, with 'boarding nettings'
•all round, cannon on deck, muskets and cutlasses arranged in their
proper places, beautiful cabins, and good furniture, with a trading
place for Indians, who, I was told, were only allowed a few at a time
on board, when on trade. She had a large crew — active, robust,
weather-beaten, jolly, good-tempered men — fat, from not being over-
worked ; some grey, some grizzled, some young ; the former had once
been similar to the latter in 'the service.'
" Outside the fort there were no houses, save, perhaps, a block
cabin or two. Forest, more or less, existed from 'the ravine,' Johnson
Street, to the north. The harbor was surrounded by tall pines, and
its bowers bedecked with shrubs ; many of which were, at this early
period, in blossom. Cultivated fields existed from Government Street
to the public schools ; likewise across the bay, and I was informed
the Company exported wheat to Sitka! There were barns up Fort
•Street (this ran through the centre of the fort) about where now is
the site of the Mechanics' Institute ; and I think there I saw, a few
•days ago, a small shanty which existed then. It was covered with
-cedar bark.
" My friend Benson next took me to Beacon Hill. The weather
wa-? lovely and warm, the sky bright, the mountains clear, and every-
thing looked paradisiacal. There we rested, locked at 'Dutnall's
fields,' and at the Beacon, which I in my ignorance thought a target.
We then walked along the beach to near the entrance of Victoria
harbor. Benson said, 'Now, I'll go back by a "short cut.'" The
wretched man came to a swamp (Providence Pond, near Moffatt's).
Says he, ' We cross somewhere about here; come on.' He walked along
^ fallen tree; so did I— not very well though. He jumped from hillock
to hillock ; so did I. We both jumped to a fallen tree ; it sunk, and
we went knee-deep into the water. He had ' sea-boots' on ; he looked
216 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
at me, and laughed — ' I told you so; you will soon be like me. You
are pretty well seasoned nowr so come along, for I have lost the
track !' So we wallowed through this swamp, got out somewhere, got
to the fort, I a wiser but not a sadder man. I had been ' introduced '
to 'roughing it' ; my cockney boots and trousers used up.
" After making ourselves decent, for I was told that Mr. Douglas,
was rather particular about this, the ' bell and the dogs' told us it
was time for dinner, and to it, nothing loth, we went. The mess-
room was more than thirty feet long by, say, twenty wide ; a large,
open fire-place at one end, and large pieces of cord wood burning^
therein ; a clock on the wall ; a long table in the middle, covered
with spotless linen; the knives and forks clean; decanters. brightr
containing wine and so forth; the chairs of wood (Windsor), but
everything European. I suppose there must have been more than
twenty people in the room, when Mr. Douglas made his appearance
— a handsome specimen of nature's noblemen, tall, stout, broad-
shouldered, muscular, with a grave, bronzed face, yet kindly withal.
After the usual greetings he took the head of the table, Mr. Finlayson>
the foot.
" Captain Dodd, Captain Wishart, Captain Grant and myself were
guests. There were also present, J. W. McKay, Charley Griffin,.
Captain Sangster. and numerous others, whom I do not recollect at
this moment. Grace having been said by Mr. Douglas (the chaplain
did not dine at the mess, but all the other married officers did), on
comes the soup, then the salmon, then the meats — venison on thi&
occasion, and ducks ; then the pies, and so forth ; and down they go
into their proper receptacle, each one ready and willing to receive
them. Having done justice to the dinner, and taken a glass 'to the
Queen,' many of the junior members left, either to work or to smoke
their pipes in their own quarters. We remained. The steward, a
Kanaka (the cook was also a Kanaka, i <?., Sandwich Islander),,
brought on tobacco and long clay pipes, of the kind called ' alderman/
Mr. Douglas took his pipe, which I noticed was beautifully colored,
showing slow and careful smoking (the clerks used to like to get hold'
of his colored pipes). Others took pipes, either from the heap or their
pockets. Everybody appeared to smoke calmly and deliberately.
"During the dinner there was conversation, Mr. Douglas taking
the lead. Captain Wishart was asked to be careful of his men, as
the gold fever was raging and the men deserting as often as they
found an opportunity, giving great trouble and necessitating spies_
California was spoken about, which led to someone asking where
Solomon got his gold from ; but no one could answer the conundrum.
To change the conversation, perhaps, Mr. Douglas asked the doctor
why so many of the Hudson Bay Company's officers were bald. His-
answer was, ' pro pella cutem' — 'they had sent their furs home,' — at
which some laughed ; but Mr. Douglas gravely said, ' Perhaps, having
given us the poetry of the thing, you will give the prose — the cause/"
This rion-plussed the doctor, as it was an additional conundrum.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 217
"By the Norman Morrison, files of newspapers, and the four
Reviews of latest dates — that is to say, nearly six months old — had
come out, and Mr. Douglas commenced about some Scotch battles
fought long ago. This brought out Dodd, an Englishman, well read
and well educated, who derided the breechless vagabonds — Johnny
Cope got his share. Douglas and Dodd seemed to know how many
men were engaged in each battle ; and all at once they tumbled into
the battle of Waterloo— the one claiming that the Scotch did best,
the other that the English did most execution, while a third claimed
that Scotch, English and Irish would have been beaten had it not
been for Blucher and his host coming up, just in the nick of time, to
save the lot. This question was not settled.
" * OLD TOD ' was chaffed for having fired a salute four years after
the victory, i.e., as soon as he heard of it. He was indignant, and
contended it was less than three years. His post had been somewhere
near the North Pole ! I was informed that no frivolous conversation
was ever allowed at table, but that Mr. Douglas, as a rule, came
primed with some intellectual and scientific subject, and thus he
educated his clerks. All had to go to church every Sunday, the
mess-room serving every purpose — baptisms, marriages, funerals,
councils, dances, theatricals, or other amusements — and did not seem
any the worse for it.
"After dinner we went to see the Indian village. Benson just
pointed out the bullet-holes in the pickets and bastions made by
hostile Indians. ' But,' said he, ' don't be afraid, they are only
dangerous when excited, and as a rule they don't get excited without
cause given.' He procured a canoe, of which I felt dubious, but he
taught my tiny feet how to get into it ; and so we arrived safely,
after what I considered a dangerous passage. There must have been
five or six hundred Indians. By far the greater, number had a
blanket only for clothing ; but KING FREEZY had on a tall hat and a
long coat, and considered himself somebody, as indeed he was, and
friendly to the whites. He had a most remarkably flattened head —
indeed all the Indians had flattened heads and fearful foreheads,
retreating backwards. We saw babies undergoing the process ; a
pad and pressure being the instruments. They did not seem to
suffer ; perhaps it made them good. The cradles were hung on a
flexible pole, stuck in the ground at an acute angle, so a slight touch
on the pole put the baby into an up and down motion.
"In one house there were a number of people beating tom-toms
and chanting. They had a sick child in the centre. The * medicine
man ' was performing some incantations, such as sucking the child's
skin and spitting upon it. The child, they said, had a devil — I
suggested he was standing alongside. Benson .said, ' No, he is the
doctor, a man and a brother medico.' This was very interesting, but
our time being precious, we looked at their ' woolly dogs,' and the
dirt and filth, and proceeded to return in what seemed to me then
our very frail and treacherous conveyance. By the bye, these ' woolly
218 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
dogs ' seem to have become extinct. These Indians used to shear
them, and make a sort of blanket out of the wool. Safely landed, on
our way to Governor Blanshard's we saw many Indians walking
about. Nearly every one had the same covering — a blanket and dirt ;
and we saw two examining each other's heads, looking for — well,
never mind, but they ate them !
" We found Governor Blanshard smoking a very thick pipe with a
very long stem. He was a comparatively young man, of medium
height, with aquiline, aristocratic features, set off by a large, military
moustache. He had arrived only a few days previously, and had
been riding. He said, * Benson, you told me all the trails led to the
fort, but you did not tell me they all led away from it. Now, I got
off the trail, to wander about, and 1 lost it ; but I found another, and
it led away from the fort. 1 should not have been here now had I
not turned my horse's head and tail — as it is, I have lost my dinner.'
He was a very intelligent and affable man. We left him with his
pipe-stem still in his mouth.
" It being now supper time, we went to the mess-room. The
company was smaller, and after chatting around the fire, and smoking,
of course, everyone went his own way, but most to the 'Hall.' After
adjourning to the hall, a Frenchman came (all the men were French-
Canadians), and said to the doctor, 'Pierre has a bad stomach-ache.'
Doctor — 'Bad stomach-ache, eh! Ah, eating too much! — ah, yes,
give him a tablespoonful of salts ! ' ' Oh/ said the man, ' but he is
very bad!' Doctor — 'Ah, hum, yes, very bad, eh? very bad, eh*?
Then give him two spoonfuls of salts ! Oh, yes, that's the way to
clean out the salt salmon.'
" There were a good many in 'Bachelor's Hall' — all young men.
After awhile Captain Grant began 'to entertain the company.' He
showed how to use the sword. He stuck the candle on the back of a
chair, to snuff it with a sweep of the sword ; but I am bound to
confess, he took off a good piece of the candle with it, and down it
went. Again the candle was stuck up ; then he split it longitudinally,
and this time splendidly. He wanted to ' cut ' a button off Benson's
coat (he had none too many), but Benson said, ' Oh ! oh ! cut a
button — no, no; split or spit one too, ho! ho'' After awhile, the
captain introduced the game, 'To escort Her Majesty to Windsor
Castle.' All were to be cavalry; so down everybody went kangaroo
fashion. Grant, being in command, took the lead ; and so we hopped
around the room, and made considerable of a racket, in the midst of
which some naughty school-girl overhead, possibly not being able to
sleep, poured some water through a crack in the ceiling, right down
upon the cavalry ! This put an end to ' the escort to Windsor/
Word was brought by a spy, that some of the men had a canoe and
were about to depart to the other side, so off McKay went to look
after them. This broke up the party, and away we went to bed ; and
so ended a day in Victoria.
"I stand to-day upon the same spot, but, oh! how changed. Of
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 219
the twenty or thirty met before, but two or three answer to the call.
Of the fields naught remains. The forest has been removed, and the
bleak winds, unhindered now, rusli into what was then a genial,
sheltered place. The Beaver remains, but, great Jove ! no more like
the Beaver of former days than a coal barge is like a frigate.
Mightier steamers float upon the harbor ; the Indians, once half a
thousand, have disappeared; homes of the citizens occupy the fields;
telegraph and telephone wires make the streets hideous ; there is great
hurry and scurry, but I doubt whether there is more happiness and
content now than was enjoyed by the few but hospitable and kind-
hearted Hudson Bay Company's residents in 1850. Peace be with
them — their works live after them." [It may be that rather much
space has been alloted to the " Reminiscences," yet they are interesting
as being from the pen of one who yet lives in Victoria, and was an
•eye-witness of what he has described. — ED.]
CHAPTEE III.
CHARTER AND LICENSE REPEALED.
THE MONOPOLY. — Whether the Company's charter of lease of Van-
couver Island should or should not be abrogated, was the next point
to be decided. That colonization did not make as much progress as
was expected by the Imperial Government was evident, and what had
been accomplished was unsatisfactory. The Company's management
were satisfied that the island could no longer be held strictly for fur-
trading purposes ; indeed several of the largest shareholders were
opposed to the renewal of the charter. They fortified themselves
against loss in case the charter should be relinquished by stipulating
that the outlay which the attempt to colonize the island had neces-
sitated should be repaid in the event of its being given up to the
Imperial Government. In the House of Commons there was a strong
feeling against the Company's monopoly, and this, along with the
•dissatisfaction of the colonists, led to an inquiry.
BEFORE THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. — When the subject was brought
before the British Parliament in 1857, a select committee of nineteen
members was appointed to consider the state of the British North
American possessions which were under the administration of the
Hudson Bay Company, over which they held fur-trading licenses.
220 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Notice of the appointment of this committee was sent to Sir Edmund
Walker Head, then Governor-General of Canada, and Chief Justice-
Draper was commissioned by the Canadian Parliament to take note
of the proceedings. A committee was also appointed in Canada to
investigate the matter. The House of Commons Committee held
sittings for six months, and after examining twenty-four witnesses,,
recommended that the Hudson Bay Company's lease of the island
should terminate at the end of the current lease. The report was laid
before Parliament in 1858, and the recommendations were adopted.
THE COMMITTEE were composed of the following: Henry Labouchere,
Chairman ; Messrs. Gladstone, Roebuck, Lowe, Grogan, Gregson, Fitz-
william, Gurney, Herbert, Matheson, Blackburn, Christy, Kinnaird.
Ellice, Viscounts Goclerich and Sandon, Sir John Pakington, and
Lords Russell and Stanley (19). The witnesses examined were: John
Ross, J. H. Lefoy, John Rae, Sir George Simpson, Win. Kernaghan,.
C. W. W. Fitz william, Alexander Isbister, G. O. Corbett, Sir John
Richardson, J. F. Crofton, Sir George Back, James Cooper, W. H.
Draper, David Anderson, Joseph Maynard, A. R. Roche, David Herd,
John Miles, John McLoughlin, Richard Blanshard, William C aid well,
Richard King, James Tennant and Edward Ellice (24). Amongst
the witnesses several were in favor of continuing the license system.
JUST AT THIS TIME the gold excitement broke out at the Fraser
River. Governor Douglas, as chief factor of the Hudson Bay Com-
pany, was required, in their interest, to look after the mainland, over
which the Company still held a lease, but which would soon expire,
and, as the nearest representative of the British Crown, it was his
duty to look after the interests of her Majesty the Queen. Results
show that he was " the right man in the right place," and that under
the extraordinary circumstances in which he was placed, no one could
have been found to meet as well as he did the various requirements.
Situated as they were, the Hudson Bay Company were of greater use
to the Imperial Government than the Government was to them. In
the emergency the Company behaved with great liberality — gave up-
in many instances the use of their establishments to accommodate the
public officers. %
LICENSE ON THE MAINLAND. — It required prompt action on the part
of Governor Douglas to deal with and keep in order the motley crowd
of thousands who nocked into Victoria and onwards towards Fraser
River. The gold discoveries put an entirely different aspect on affairs
on the mainland. The influx of miners could not do otherwise than
destroy the fur trade. It was therefore concluded by the Company
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 221
as well as the Imperial Government, that the license of exclusive
rights on the mainland should terminate. The Secretary of State for
the Colonies realizing the difficult position in which Governor Douglas
was placed, wrote to him in reference to his connection with the
Hudson Bay Company.
LORD LYTTON'S DESPATCH. — On the 16th of July, 1858, a confi-
dential despatch from Lord Lytton stated that the public despatch of
the same date would show him the high
value which her Majesty's Government at-
tached to his services, and at the same time
would guard him against some of the errors
into which he might be led by his position as
an agent of the Hudson Bay Company, whilst
also an officer of her Majesty's Government.
He informed him that a bill was in progress
through Parliament, to get rid of certain
legal obstacles which interposed to prevent
LORD LYTTON ^e Crown from constituting a government
suited to the exigencies of so peculiar a case,
over the territory resorted to by the multitudes whom the gold dig-
gings on the Eraser River had attracted.
" It is proposed," the despatch continues, " to appoint a governor
with a salary of at least £1,000 per annum, to be paid for the present
out of a parliamentary vote. And it is the desire of her Majesty's
Government to appoint you at once to that office, on the usual terms
of a governor's appointment ; namely, for six years at least, your
administration of that office continuing to merit the approval of her
Majesty's Government ; this government to be held, for the present,
in conjunction with your separate commission as governor of
Vancouver Island. With regard to the latter, I am not at this
moment able to specify the terms as to the salary on which it may
ultimately be held, but your interests would, of course, not be
overlooked.
" The legal connection of the Hudson Bay Company with Vancouver
Island will shortly be severed by the resumption by the Crown of the
grant of the soil. And their legal rights, on the Continent opposite
terminates in May next, at all events by the expiry of Her license,
if her Majesty should not be advised to terminate it sooner on the
establishment of the new colony.
" It is absolutely necessary, in their view, that the administration
of the government, both of Vancouver Island and of the mainland
opposite, should be entrusted to an officer or officers entirely
unconnected with the Company. I wish, therefore, for your distinct
222 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
statement, as early as you can afford it, whether you are willing, on
receiving the appointment which is thus offered to you, to give up,
within as short a time as may be practicable, all connection which
you may have with that company, either as its servant, or a-
shareholder, or in any other capacity.
" I make this proposal without discussing at present the nature
and extent of your actual connections with that Company, but with
the acquiescence of the governor of the company, who has seen this
despatch. In the meantime, and awaiting your answer, it is my
present intention (liable only to be altered by what may transpire in
future advices from yourself) to issue a commission to you as governor^
but you will fully understand that unless you are prepared to assure
me that all connection between yourself and the Company is
terminated, or in course of speedy termination, you will be relieved
by the appointment of a successor.
" I make this proposal briefly and without unnecessary preface,
being fully assured that you will understand, on the one hand, that
her Majesty's Government are very anxious to secure your services,,
if practicable ; but on the other that it is quite impossible that you
should continue to serve at once the Crown and the Company, when
their respective rights and interests may possibly diverge, and when,
at all events, public opinion will not allow of such a connection.''
IN A SUBSEQUENT DESPATCH (July 31), Lord Lytton says : " As
it is a matter of considerable importance, both to her Majesty's
Government and yourself, that there should be a perfect under-
standing as to the terms on which, if you should so decide, you
would assume office under imperial authority, I think it right to
state, as it was omitted on the last occasion, that beside relinquishing,
directly or indirectly, all connection with the Hudson Bay Company,
it will be indispensable to apply that condition equally to any interest
you may possess in the Puget Sound Company.
" It is most probable that you have understood the offer contained
in my confidential despatch of the 16th instant in that sense, but I
think it better now to guard against any possible misconception on
the subject by this additional explanation. It is due to you to add
that if, after reflection, you should entertain the persuasion that it
will either not conduce to the public interests or your own to
exchange your present position for that of governor of British
Columbia, the ability which you have displayed whilst holding the
office of governor of Vancouver Island will not escape the recollection
of her Majesty's Government, should it be your wish, on the
expiration of the Hudson Bay Company's license next year, to enter
into the service of the Crown in the colonies."
In another despatch, also dated July 31st, the Right Honorable
the Secretary of State adds: "I need hardly observe that British
Columbia, for by that name the Queen has been graciously pleased
to observe that the country should be known, stands on a very
different footing from many of our colonial settlements. They
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 223
possessed the chief elements of success in lands, which afforded safe
though not very immediate sources of prosperity. This territory
combines in a remarkable degree, the advantage of fertile lands, fine
timber, adjacent harbors, rivers, together with rich mineral products.
These last, which have led to the large immigration of which all
accounts speak, furnish the Government with the means of raising a
revenue which will at once defray the expenses of an establishment.
. . . My own views lead me to think that moderate duties on
beer, wine, spirits and other articles usually subject to taxation
would be preferable to the imposition of licenses : and I confidently
expect that from these sources a large and an immediate revenue
may be derived.
" The disposal also of public lands, and especially of town lots, for
which T am led to believe there will be a great demand, will afford a
rapid means of obtaining funds applicable to the general purposes of
the colony. You will, probably, at an early period take steps for
deciding upon a site for a seaport town. But the question of how a
revenue can best be raised in this new country depends so much on
local circumstances, upon which you possess such superior means of
forming a judgment to myself, that I necessarily, but at the same
time willingly, leave the decision upon it to you, with the remark
that it will be prudent on your part and expedient to ascertain the
general sense of the immigrants upon a matter of so much
importance. Before I leave this part of the subject, I must state
that whilst the Imperial Parliament will cheerfully lend its assistance
in the early establishment of this new colony, it will expect that the
colony will be self-supporting as soon as possible. You will keep
steadily in view that it is the desire of this country that
representative institutions and self-government should prevail in
British Columbia, when by the growth of a fixed population, materials
for these institutions shall be known to exist ; and to that object, you
must from the commencement aim and shape all your policy.
" A party of Royal Engineers will be despatched to the colony
immediately. It will devolve upon them to survey those parts of the
country which may be considered most suitable for settlement, to
mark out allotments of land for public purposes, to suggest a site for
the seat of government, to point out where roads should be made>
and to render you such assistance as may be in their power, on the
distinct understanding, however, that this force is to be maintained
at the Imperial cost for only a limited period, and that if required
afterwards, the colony will have to defray the expense thereof. I
have to add, that I am of opinion that it will be reasonable and
proper that the expense of the survey of all allotments of land ta
private individuals should be included in the price which the
purchaser will have to pay for his property.
" I shall endeavor to secure, if possible, the services of an officer
in command of the engineers who will be capable of reporting 011 the
value of the mineral resources. This force is sent for scientific and
224 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
practical purposes, and not solely for military objects. As little
display as possible should, therefore, be made of it. Its mere
appearance, if prominently obtruded, might serve to irritate, rather
than appease the mixed population which will be collected in British
Columbia. It should be remembered that your real strength lies in
the conviction of the immigrants that their interests are identical
with those of the Government, which should be carried on in harmony
with, and by means of the people of the country.
"As connected with this subject, it may be convenient to you to
know that I contemplate sending out an experienced inspector of
police to assist you in the formation of a police force. You should
consequently lose no time in considering how that force can be
organized. It must be derived from people on the spot, who will
understand that for their preservation from internal disturbances,
they must rely solely on themselves, and not on the military. I
cannot permit myself to doubt, that in a matter so essential to the
common security of all, you will meet with the ready concurrence of
the community, and that you will act for their interests in a manner
which shall be popular and conformable to their general sentiments.
" I have to enjoin upon you to consider the best and most humane
means of dealing with the native Indians. The feelings of this
country would be strongly opposed to the adoption of any arbitrary or
oppressive measures towards them. At this distance, and with the
imperfect means of knowledge which I possess, I am reluctant to
offer, as yet, any suggestion as to the prevention of affrays between
the Indians and the immigrants. This question is of so local a
character that it must be solved by your knowledge and experience,
And I commit it to you, in the full persuasion that you will pay every
regard to the interests of the natives which an enlightened humanity
can suggest. Let me not omit to observe, that it should be an
invariable condition, in all bargains or treaties with the natives for
the cession of lands possessed by them, that subsistence should be
supplied to them in some other shape, and above all, that it is the
•earnest desire of her Majesty's Government that your early attention
should be given to the best means of diffusing the blessings of the
Ohristian religion and of civilization among the natives.
"I wish to impress upon you the necessity of seeking, by all
legitimate means, to secure the confidence and good-will of the
immigrants, and to exhibit no jealousy whatever of Americans or
other foreigners who may enter the country. You will remember
that the country is destined for free institutions at the earliest
moment. In the meanwhile it will be advisable for you to ascertain
what Americans resorting to the diggings enjoy the most influence or
popular esteem, and you should open with them a frank and friendly
-communication as to the best means of preserving order and securing
the interests and peace of the colony. It may be deserving of your
•consideration whether there may not be found already amongst the
immigrants, both British and foreign, some persons whom you could
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 225
immediately form into a council of advice ; men whom, if an elective
council were ultimately established in the colony, the immigrants
themselves would be likely to elect, and who might be able to render
you valuable assistance until the machinery of government were
perfected, and you were in possession of the instructions which the
•Queen will be pleased to issue for your guidance. 1 shall hope to
receive, at an early period, your views on these and other topics of
importance which are likely to present themselves for your decision
in the difficult circumstances in which you are placed, and I request
you to be assured, on the part of her Majesty's Government, that I
shall be most ready to afford you every assistance in my power."
On August 14th, in forwarding copy of the Act to provide for the
government of British Columbia, Lord Lytton writes to Governor
Douglas :
" There has not been time to furnish you by this mail with the
order-in-council, commission and instructions to yourself as governor,
which are necessary in order to complete your legal powers. You
will, nevertheless, continue to act during the brief interval before
their arrival as you have hitherto done, as the authorized repre-
sentative of her Majesty's Government in the territory of British
Columbia, and take, without hesitation, such steps as you may deem
absolutely necessary for the government of the territory, and as are
not repugnant to the principles of British law ; but you will do so in
conformity with the directions which I transmit to you on several
subjects by my despatches of even date herewith, and in such others
as you may receive from me."
In one of the despatches referred to, the Secretary of State says :
" I have to acknowledge the very important series of despatches
(numbers 24 to 29 inclusive, from June 10th to July 1st, 1858),
showing the manner in which you have continued to administer the
government of the territory in which the recent discoveries of gold
have taken place, and detailing the extraordinary course of events
in that quarter. Her Majesty's Government feel that the difficulties
of your position are such as courage, judgment and familiarity with
the resources of the country and character of the people can alone
overcome. They feel also that minute instructions conve)ed from
this distance, and founded on an imperfect knowledge, are very liable
to error and misunderstanding. On some points, however, you have
yourself asked for approval and instructions ; on others it is absolutely
necessary that the views of her Majesty's Government should be made
clear to you.
" As to the steps which you have already taken, I approve of the
appointments which you have made and reported of revenue officers,
Mr. Hicks and Mr. Travaillot, of Mr. Perrier as justice of the
peace, and of Mr. Young as gold commissioner. I approve also, as a
15
226 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
temporary measure, of the steps which you have taken in regard to-
the surveying department ; but I have it in contemplation to send to-
the colony a head of that department from England.
" I propose selecting in this country some person for the office of
collector of customs, and shall send you also, at the earliest moment,
an officer authorized to act as judge, and who, I trust, as the colony
increases in importance, may be found competent to fill with credit
and weight the situation of chief justice. I await your intimations
as to the wants and means of the colony, in this sudden rise of social
institutions in a country hitherto so wild, in order to select such law
advisers as you may deem the condition and progress of immigration
more immediately require. And it is my wish that all legal authorities
connected with the government should be sent from home, and thus
freed from every suspicion of local partialities, prejudices and interests.
" I highly approve of the steps which you have taken, as reported
by yourself, with regard to the Indians. It is in the execution of
this very delicate and important portion of your duties that her
Majesty's Government especially rely on your knowledge and experi-
ence, obtained in your long service under the Hudson Bay Company.
You may in return rely on their support in the execution of such
reasonable measures as you may devise for the protection of the
natives, the regulation of their intercourse with the whites, and
whenever such work may be commenced, their civilization. In what
way the fur trade with the Indians may henceforth be carried on
with the most safety, and with due care to save them from the
demoralizing bribes of ardent spirits, I desire to know your views
before you make any fixed regulations. No regulations giving the
slightest preference to the Hudson Bay Company will in future be-
admissible; but possibly, with the assent of the whole community,
licenses for Indian trade, impartially given to all who would embark
in it, might be a prudent and not unpopular precaution.
" I approve of the measures which you have taken for raising a
revenue by customs, and authorize their continuance. I approve alsa
of your continuing to levy license fees for mining purposes, requesting
you, however, to adopt the scale of these fees to the general acquies-
cence of adventurers, and leaving it to your judgment to change this
mode of taxation (as, for instance, into an export duty), if it shall
appear on experience to be unadvisable to continue it. But on this
head I must give you certain cautions. In the first place, no distinc-
tion must be made between foreigners and British subjects as to the
amount per head of the license fee required (nor am I aware that
you have proposed to do so). In the second place, it must be made
perfectly clear to everyone, that this license fee is levied, not in
regard to any supposed rights of the Hudson Bay Company, but
simply in virtue of the prerogative of the Crown (now confirmed by
the Act of Parliament transmitted to you, if this was necessary) to
raise revenue as it thinks proper, in return for the permission to-
derive profits from the minerals on Crown lands.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 227
" Further, with regard to these supposed rights of the Hudson Bay
Company, I must refer you, ia even stronger terms, to the cautions
already conveyed to you by my former despatches. The Hudson Bay
Company have hitherto -had an exclusive right to trade with Indians
in the Fraser River territory, but they have had no other right
whatever. They have had no right to exclude strangers. They have
had no rights of government, or of occupation of the soil. They have
had no right to prevent or interfere with any kind of trading, except
with the Indians alone. But to render all misconceptions impossible,
her Majesty's Government have determined on revoking the Com-
pany's license (which would itself have expired in next May) as regards
British Columbia, being fully authorized to do so, by the terms of the
license itself, whenever a new colony is constituted.
" The Company's private property will be protected, in common
with that of all her Majesty's subjects ; but they have no claim
whatever for compensation for the loss of their exclusive trade,
which they only possessed subject to the right of revocation. The
instrument formally revoking the license will shortly be forwarded
to you. . . . The immense resources which the information that
reaches England every day and is confirmed with such authority by
your last despatch, assures me that the colony possesses, and the
facility for immediate use of those resources for the purposes of
revenue, will at once free the Mother Country from those expenses
which are adverse to the policy of all healthful colonization.
The most important works to which the local revenue can be applied
seem to be police, public works to facilitate landing and travelling,
payment of the absolutely necessary officers, and above all, surveying.
But your own local judgment must mainly decide. You will render
accurate accounts to me both of receipts and expenditure, and you
will probably find it necessary shortly to appoint a treasurer, which
will be a provisional appointment.
" You are fully authorized to take such measures as you can for
the transmission of letters and levying postage. It appears by your
despatch that the staff of surveyors you have engaged are at present
employed on Vancouver Island, the soil of which is as yet held under
the expiring license of the Hudson Bay Company ; but it is British
Columbia which now demands and indeed may almost absorb the
immediate cares of its governor, and your surveyor may at once
prepare the way for the arrival of the surveyor-general appointed
from hence, and of the sappers and miners who will be under his
orders.
" I now come to the important subject of future government.
It is possible (although on this point I am singularly without
information) that the operations of the gold diggers will be to a
considerable extent suspended during winter, and that yoa will
therefore have some amount of leisure to consider the permanent
prospects of the colony and the best mode of administering its affairs.
"You will be empowered both to govern and to legislate of your
22cS HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
own authority ; but you will distinctly understand that this is a
temporary measure only. It is the anxious wish of her Majesty's
Government that popular institutions, without which they are con-
vinced peace and order cannot long prevail, should be established with
as little delay as practicable ; and until an Assembly can be organized
(which may be whenever a permanent population, however small, is
established on the soil), I think, as I have already stated in a former
despatch, that your best course will probably be to form some kind of
temporary council, calling in this manner to your aid fcuch persons
as the miners themselves may place confidence in.
"You will receive additional directions along with your commis-
sion, when forwarded to you ; and I have embodied in a separate
despatch those regarding the very important question of the disposal
of land.
"Aware of the immediate demand on your time and thoughts con-
nected with the pressing question of immigration to the gold mines, I
do not wish to add unnecessarily to the burden of duties so cnerous ;
but as yet, our Department has been left singularly in ignorance of
much that should enter into considerations of general policy, and on
which non-official opinions are constantly volunteered. Probably,
amongst the persons you are now employing, and in whose knowledge
and exactitude you can confide, you might find someone capable of
assisting, under your superintendence, in furnishing me, as early as
possible, with a report of the general capacities of the harbors of
Vancouver, — of their advantages and defects ; of the mouth of
Fraser River, as the site of the entry into British Columbia, apart
from the island ; of the probabilities of a coal superior for steam
purposes to that of the island, which may be found in the mainland
of British Columbia ; and such other information as may guide
the British Government to the best and readiest means of developing
the various and the differing resources both of the island and the
mainland — resources which have so strangely been concealed for
ages, which are now so suddenly brought to light, and which may
be destined to effect, at no very distant period, a marked and
permanent change in the commerce and navigation of the known
world. The officers now engaged in the maritime survey will
probably render great assistance to yourself and to her Majesty's
Government in this particular."
For the guidance of Governor Douglas, Sir E. B. Lytton sends a
despatch, August 14th, which says :
" With regard to the very important subject of the disposal of
land, you are authorized to sell land merely wanted for agricultural
purposes, whenever a demand for it shall arise, at such upset price as
you may think advisable. I believe that a relatively high upset price
has many advantages ; but your course must, in some degree, be
guided by the price at which such land is selling in neighboring
American territories. But with regard to land wanted for town
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 229
purposes (to which speculation is almost certain to direct itself in the
first instance), I cannot caution you too strongly against allowing it
to be disposed of at too low a sum. An upset price of at least £1
per acre is, in my opinion, absolutely required, in order that the
local government may in some degree participate in the profit of the
probal}le sales, and that mere land-jobbing may be in some degree
checked. Whenever a free legislature is assembled, it will be one of
its duties to make further provision on this head.
"To open land for settlement gradually; not to sell beyond the
limits of what is either surveyed or ready for immediate survey, and
to prevent, as far as in you lies, squatting on unsold land.
" To keep a separate account of all revenue to be derived from the
sale of land, applying it to the purposes, for the present, of survey
and communication, which, indeed, should be the first charge on land
revenue ; and you will of course remember that this will include the
expense of the survey party (viz., sappers and miners) now sent out.
I shall be anxious to receive such accounts at the earliest period at
which they can be furnished.
u Foreigners, as such, are not entitled to grants of waste land of
the Crown in British colonies. But it is the strong desire of her
Majesty's Government to attach to this territory all peaceful settlers,
without regard to nation. Naturalization should, therefore, be
granted to all who desire it, and are not disqualified by special causes,
and with naturalization the right of acquiring Crown land should follow.
" You will pardon me if I enjoin on you, as imperative, the most
diligent care that in the sales of land there should not be the slightest
cause to impute a desire to show favor to the servants of the Hudson
Bay Company. Parliament will watch with jealousy every proceeding
connected with such sales ; and I shall rely upon you to take every
precaution which not only impartial probity but deliberate prudence
can suggest, that there shall be no handle given for a charge, I will
not say of favor, but of indifference or apathy to the various kinds of
land-jobbing, either to benefit favored individuals or to cheat the land
revenue, which are of so frequent occurrence at the outset of coloni-
zation, and which it is the duty of her Majesty's Government, so far
as lies in them, to repress."
THE FIRST DETACHMENT of the Royal Engineers for British Col-
umbia left England, sailing from Southampton on the 2nd September,
in the steamer La Plata. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Colonial
Minister, went on board the steamer when she was off Cowes, and
addressed the party, who were under the command of Captain
Parsons, R.E. The London Times, speaking of the corps selected for
the Pacific coast, said : '" Whenever her Majesty's Government want
a body of skilful, intelligent and industrious mechanics to perform
any task requiring peculiar judgment, energy and accuracy, such as
the arrangement of a great exhibition, the execution of an accurate
230 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
survey, or even the construction of houses, roads and bridges, in a
.new colony, they have only to turn to the corps of Royal Engineers,
and they find all the material they want."
To CAPTAIN PARSONS was given charge of despatches for Governor
Douglas. Under separate cover, he also sent a despatch with the
same bearer, as follows :
" DOWNING STREET, September 1st, 1858.
" SIR, — 1 have the honor to introduce to you Captain Parsons, the
bearer of this despatch, who, in the pursuance of the intention which
I have already communicated to you, has been directed to repair to
British Columbia, accompanied by twenty non-commissioned officers
and men of the Royal Engineers.
" I need scarcely observe to you that the object for which this
officer and his party have been detached to British Columbia is for
the exclusive service of that colony. You will, therefore, afford him
every assistance in your power for enabling him to commence imme-
diately such operations in it as j-hall appear to him to be necessary,
in anticipation of his commanding officer, Colonel Moody, R.E., who
will follow him with as much rapidity as practicable. And I trust
that, if Captain Parsons should require the temporary occupation for
his party of the trading-posts up the country, which belong to the
Hudson Bay Company, you will take measures for affording him such
accp m m odation . "
CAPTAIN PARSONS was also the bearer of the commission, dated
Sept. 2nd, and the instructions for Governor Douglas, as well as an
order-in-council of the same date empowering him to make provision
for the administration of justice, and to establish all such laws as
might be necessary for the peace, order and good government of
British Columbia, and also of the same date, the Queen's revocation
of the Crown grant or charter of the 30th May, 1838, to the Hudson
Bay Company, in so far as the said grant embraces or extends to the
territories comprised within the colony of British Columbia.
COLONEL MOODY APPOINTED. — By the same overland mail, another
despatch was sent by Lord Lytton to Governor Douglas, acquainting
him that Colonel Moody had been appointed to the command of the
Koyal Engineers, and had also been selected for the office of Chief
Commissioner of lands and works in British Columbia ; and that a
copy of the instructions had been addressed to Colonel Moody,
with reference to the discharge of his duties in that capacity, and
specifying the amount of regimental pay and colonial allowances to
which he and the commissioned and non-commissioned officers and
sappers of the detachment are entitled.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD,
231
His INSTRUCTIONS. — A letter containing the instructions to Colonel
Moody referred to above, dated Aug. 23rd, says :
;. |" It is to be distinctly understood that the governor is the supreme
•authority in the colony. That you will concert with him, and take
his orders as to the spots in the colony to which vour attention as to
surveys, etc., should be immediately and principally directed. That
jou will advise and render him all the assistance in your power, in
the difficult situation in which it is probable that he will be placed
lor some time. The governor will be instructed to regard your
duties as special, and that they are not on any account to be
interfered with, except under circumstances of the greatest gravity,
so that all possible conflict of duties may be avoided. On this point
Lord Lytton feels persuaded that yoiir character and colonial
experience are sufficient guarantees against any discordance with the
governor. . . .
"It is well to understand that her Majesty's Government count
on the immediate raising of large revenues from the land sales
and other resources of the colony, sufficient to defray from the outset
the expenses of the survey, and of all other except the salary of the
governor. And you will afford the governor, though without
shackling his discretion, the benefits of your talents and experience
in any suggestions for ensuring, at the earliest period, this paramount
object.
"The rates of pay and allowances which have been settled for
officers and men are as follows :
OFFICERS.
Regimental pay Colonial
per annum. allowance. Total.
1 chief commissioner of lands and
works, Colonel Moody, R. E £330 £1,200 £1 ,530
1 captain . . . 202 350 552
1 second captain 202 350 552
1 third captain 202 350 552
2 subalterns 125 250 375
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND SAPPERS.
Regimenta I pay Working pay
per diem. per diem.
1 color- sergeant and acting sergeant-major . 3s. 10| 3s. to 5s.
1 sergeant and acting quarter-master sergeant 3s. 4^ 3s. to 5s.
7 sergeants (each) 2s. lOf 3s. to 5s.
8 first corporals 2s. 2j Is. to 4s.
8 second corporals Is. 104 1s- *° ^8>
2 buglers , . Is. 2^ Is. to 4s.
123 sappers Is. 2^ Is. to 4s.
" It is agreed that you shall remain in the colony one year from
the date of your arrival, and that you will not quit it unless you are
satisfied that the officer you leave in charge is fully competent to the
232 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
work before him, and that the public service is not prejudiced by
your return to England. Should you desire to stay longer for the
execution of works in which you are actively engaged, and to which
yon consider your presence essential, you will communicate that wish
to her Majesty's Government. You will make it your care to furnish
this department, from time to time, with full reports of the various-
resources and capabilities of the colony, according to the information
which the exercise of your functions will necessarily give you, and
with a view to the development of the social and industrial prosperity
and welfare of the colony — its mines, its fisheries, the quality of its
coal, the nature of the soil, the maritime approaches to the colony, if
held distinct from the Island. These reports will be sent to this,
department through the governor."
CHAPTEE IV.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.
THE TRANSMISSION OF MAILS is also made the subject of a despatch
to Governor Douglas. Lord Lytton transmits to him the corre-
spondence between the colonial office and the treasury on the subject.
The Postmaster-General concludes that letters will be forwarded
with the greatest advantage via Panama. Owing to the bad con-
nection between the arrival and departure of the steamers on the
Atlantic and the Pacific, an arrangement was recommended to be
made between her Majesty's Postmaster-General and the Postmaster
of the United States, so that a more advantageous service than the
present might be entered into.
THE ABORIGINES PROTECTION SOCIETY having heard of the reckless
inhumanity of the gold-diggers in the State of California, addressed a
letter to the colonial secretary, stating that for many years the society
had taken a deep interest in the Indian tribes to the west as well as
the east of the Ro3ky Mountains, and that as it was understood that
the natives generally entertained ineradicable feelings of hostility
against the " Americans," who are pouring into the new colony by
thousands, and who will probably value Indian life there as cheaply
as they did in California, the society point out the justice and
necessity of steps being taken by the Government to protect the
THE COLONIAL PERIOD.
natives. A copy of the letter was forwarded to Governor Douglas,
with injunctions to him to secure the object desired. No one could
have been appealed to more ready or willing fco befriend the natives
than Governor Douglas, or to see that they received justice as far as
lay in his power.
THE LAST DETACHMENT of the Royal Engineers for service in
British Columbia sailed from "the Downs," on September 17th, on
the clipper ship Thames City, 557 tons, commanded by Captain
Glover. It consisted of two officers, one staff' assistant surgeon,,
eighteen non-commissioned officers and men, thirty-one women, and
thirty-four children, the whole under the command of Captain R. H.
Luard, R.E. The voyage round Cape Horn occupied 175 days.
GRANTS OF LAND. — It was arranged that the men and non-
commissioned officers of the Royal Engineers who should go to British
Columbia should receive grants of agricultural, not mining land, not
exceeding thirty acres each, after six years' continuous and good
faithful service within the colony, if desired.
JUDGE BEGBIE'S APPOINTMENT.— The budget of despatches from
Lord Lytton, under date September 2, also contained forms of
proclamations to be issued by Governor Douglas, one declaring
British law to be in force in British Columbia, and another
indemnifying the governor and other officers for acts done before
the establishment of any legitimate authority in British Columbia ;
also a notification that Mr. Begbie had been commissioned to act as
judge of Britisli Columbia (salary ,£800), and would proceed by next
packet (October 2) — adding in reference to Judge Begbie, that he
had been fully instructed that, " although invested with the very
important office of judge, he will nevertheless have the kindness, for
the present at least, to lend you his general aid for the compilation
of the necessary laws and other legal business. This is the more
proper duty of an attorney-general ; and should the colony advance,
as seems at present possible, the services of such an officer will no
doubt be urgently required." . . .
CONFIDENCE IN GOVERNOR DOUGLAS. — Lord Lytton concludes :
"With these few observations, I leave with confidence in your
hands the powers entrusted to you by her Majesty's Government.
These powers are indeed of very serious and unusual extent, but her
Majesty's Government fully rely on your moderation and discretion
in the use of them. You are aware that they have only been granted
in so unusual a form on account of the very unusual circumstances
which have called into being the colony committed to your charge,.
234 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
and which may for some time continue to characterize it. To
use them, except for the most necessary purposes, would be, in truth,
to abuse them greatly. They are required for the maintenance of
British law and British habits of order, and for regulating the special
questions to which the condition and employment of the population
may give birth. But the office of legislation, in the higher and
more general sense, should be left for the legislature which may be
hereafter constituted, and which her Majesty's Government hope will
be constituted at the first time consistent with the general interests
of the colony. And you will above all remember that the ordinary
rights and privileges of British subjects, and of those foreigners who
dwell under British protection, must be sedulously maintained, and
that no innovation contrary to the principles of our law can be
justified, except for purposes of absolute and temporary necessity.
" I will only add that, although it has been judged prudent not to
make the revocation of the Hudson Bay Company's license take
^effect until proclaimed by yourself, it is the particular instructions of
her Majesty's Government that you proclaim it with the least
practicable delay, so that no questions like those which have already
arisen as to the extent and nature of the Company's rights can
possibly occur."
COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS. — Mr. Wymond Hamley was appointed on
the 16th of September, as collector of customs for British Columbia,
at a salary of .£400 per annum. Governor Douglas was notified that
Mr. Hamley would proceed in the Thames City in the course of a few
•days. The despatch says :
44 With respect to offices generally, which the public exigencies
may compel you to create, and for which selections should be made
in England, I have to observe that I consider it of great importance
to the general social welfare and dignity of the colony that gentlemen
should be encouraged to come from this kingdom, not as mere
adventurers seeking employment, but in the hope of obtaining
professional occupations for which they are calculated ; such, for
instance, as stipendiary magistrates or gold commissioners.
" You will, therefore, report to me at your early convenience,
whether there is any field for such situations, and describe as
accurately as you can the peculiar qualifications which are requisite,
in order that T may assist you by making the best selections in my
power. It is quite natural that the servants of the Hudson Bay
Company should, from their knowledge of business, their abilities
and services, have a very fair claim to consideration and share in
the disposal of the local patronage. But caution should be observed
against yielding to any appearance of undue favor or exclusiveness to
the servants of that company. You will carefully remember that the
public interests are the first consideration, and that it should be
known that employment in the public service is as open and fair in
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 235
British Columbia as in every other of the Queen's colonial possessions.
For these reasons it is still more desirable that careful appointments
should be made in England. You will not fail to write to me fullv
by each mail, as her Majesty's Government wish to know everything
that passes of importance in British Columbia."
MINERS' LICENSES. — When writing on miners' claims and licenses,
in a despatch, dated October 14th, Lord Lytlon says, referring to the
license which Governor Douglas had imposed, of 21s. per month on
each miner :
" That such an arrangement may on the whole be most congenial
to the disposition of the Californian miners whom you may have to
consider ; but it was the system of enforcing, from time to time, the
license fee which created in the colony of Victoria so much dissatis-
faction, and ultimately led to the Ballarat riot, and to the adoption
of new rules. The Victorian system was in the main the same as
that which you have apparently adopted. It exacted a fee of XI
from each miner per month, and, as Sir Charles llotham, says in
a despatch, 21st November, 1855, to Sir William Molesworth, 'the
great and primary cause of complaint which I found was undoubtedly
the license fee.'
"It was then decided that the monthly license fee should be
abolished, and be replaced, independently of royalties, first, by a
miner's annual certificate of £1; secondly, by the payment of £10 per
annum on every acre of alluvial soil ; and thirdly, by an indirect tax
in the shape of 2s. 6d. export duty on the ounce of gold. Experience
seems, as far as we yet know, to have justified this change in Victoria.
Discontent, with its attendant dangers, has been removed ; and by
the present system, which appears to be acquiesced in by all parties,
a larger revenue is obtained than ever was the case under the earlier
arrangement. I observe, indeed, by the last Victorian returns for
1856, that the duties on the export of gold amounted to more than
£376,000."
MILITARY ASSISTANCE. — A despatch, dated October 16th, refers
especially to the military assistance which had been placed at
Governor Douglas's service, if required, under Admiral Baynes at
Esquimalt, and the Royal Engineers, twenty and twelve men under
Captain Parsons and Captain Grant respectively, in advance of the
main detachment ; that with the first detachment he, Lord Lytton,
had forwarded the governor's commission, having immediately on the
return of the Queen from the Continent obtained her Majesty's
signature to the commission, and took it on board the vessel where
Captain Parsons was in charge of the engineers. . . . The
despatch continues :
236 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
"It is my object to provide for, or to suggest to you how to meet,,
all unforeseen exigencies to the colony as they may arise ; but my
views are based on the assumption that the common interest in life-
and property will induce the immigrants to combine amongst them-
selves for ordinary purposes, and that when danger needing military
force arises, they will readily gather around and swell the force,
which will thus expand as circumstances require. From England we
send skill and discipline; the raw material (that is, the mere men), a
colony intended for free institutions, and on the border of so powerful
a neighbor as the United States of America, should learn betimes of
itself to supply.
"Referring to the laudable co-operation in the construction of the
road which has been evoked by your energy from the good sense and
public spirit of the miners, I rejoice to see how fully that instance of
the zeal and intelligence to be expected from the voluntary efforts of
immigrants, uniting in the furtherance of interests common to them
all, bears out the principle of policy on which I designed to construct
a colony intended for self-government, and trained to its exercise by
self-reliance. The same characteristics which have made these settlers
combine so readily in the construction of a road, will, I trust, under
the same able and cheering influence which you prove that you know
so well how to exercise, cause them equally to unite in the formation
of a police, in the establishment of law, in the collection of revenue,
in short in all which may make individual life secure and the com-
munity prosperous. I trust you will assure the hardy and spirited
men who have assisted in this preliminary undertaking, how much
their conduct is appreciated by her Majesty's Government.
" I feel thankful for the valuable services so seasonably and
efficiently rendered by the Satellite and Plumper. I cannot conclude
without a cordial expression of my sympathy in the difficulties you
have encountered, and of my sense of the ability, the readiness of
resource, the wise and manly temper of conciliation which you have
so signally displayed ; and I doubt not that you will continue to
show the same vigor and the same discretion in its exercise ; and
you may rely with confidence on whatever support and aid her
Majesty's Government can afford you."
ROAD CONSTRUCTION. — The construction of the road referred to
was on the left bank of Harrison River and Lillooet Lake, to connect
Anderson with Harrison Lake, the total distance bstween these two
points being about eighty miles of land carriage over a generally level
country. The men employed on that work were miners, who were
anxious to have the road opened for their own accommodation in the
first place. It was accomplished as follows: A party of about five
hundred of all nations volunteered their services. They offered to
make a money deposit of $25 each in the hands of the Government,.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 237
as security for good conduct. They were to receive no pay for their
work, the Government merely agreeing to supply them with food
while employed on the road, and to transport them free of expense
to the commencement of the road on Harrison Lake, where the
deposit money of $25 would be repaid to them in provisions at
Yictoria prices when the road was finished. The work was com-
pleted in the most expeditious manner, the men working with good
will as they were each interested in the road.
DELIVERY OF PROVISIONS. — The men were divided into twenty
companies of twenty-five men ; each company under the command
of a captain, who carried all orders into effect, reported to the com-
mander of the corps, and drew upon the commissary for the weekly
supplies of food. An engineer, with guides and Indians acquainted
with the country, blazed the trees and marked out the road in advance
of the main body. The route proved of great advantage during
the mining excitement. There was some slight disagreement about
having the provisions delivered at the upper instead of the lower end
of the road. This was settled by having them delivered half way
from the lower end.
PETER BROWN'S MURDER. — Up to the time of this great stir and
gold fever on the mainland, the colony of Vancouver Island had been
working its way along in rather a quiet manner. There had been a
few difficulties with the Cowichin Indians, who indulged, now and
then, in stealing some of the settlers' cattle. Two natives of that
tribe, in L^ecember, 1852, had murdered PETER BROWN, one of the
Company's shepherds. That crime must be punished, and Governor
Douglas secured the murderers in his own quiet way. One of the
murderers, it was reported, had taken refuge with the tribe at
Saanich ; the other had fled to Nanainco. Captain Kuper, of the
war vessel Thetis, then at Esquimalt, volunteered to assist in their
•capture. The offer was graciously accepted, as the tribe was fierce
and numerous. A sufficient force was transferred from the Thetis,
and placed on board the Company's vessel Recovery, which was then,
on January 4th, 1853, towed by the war steamer round into Haro
Strait for fair wind and tide — Governor Douglas taking command.
A DEMAND MADE. — Opposite the village of Saanich, the vessel
<jame to anchor. Douglas went ashore, but the culprit was absent —
he had gone to Cowichin. The Recovery proceeded north, arriving at
Cowichin early on the morning of the 6th. A demand was made for
the murderer. The chief asked for time to consider— this was
238 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
granted. A meeting was next appointed for final conference on
shore next day. At the time appointed, the forces from the
vessel landed. The Cowichin chief with a few attendants met them.
A tent was pitched on a knoll, and then the white men waited the
arrival of the chiefs followers. Shortly after the chief requested the
withdrawal of the troops a little out of sight, lest his people should
be afraid to land. This was done, and yet, nearly an hour elapsed
before any of them appeared. Then two canoes were seen making
their way quietly out of the river. After them came six other
canoes, larger ones, all in a line.
THE MURDERER PRODUCED. — Paddling slowly along the shore,
chanting their war song, drumming on their canoes, and whooping
like demons, they passed by the council ground and landed a little
beyond ; then rushing up the hill, shouting and clashing their arms
as if to strike with terror any army daring to oppose them, they
stood glaring ferociously at the intruders. It was with difficulty
Douglas could restrain his men from firing ; gradually, however,
the savages became quieter. They then produced the murderer, armed
and painted from head to foot. The prisoner made a lengthy speech
declaring his innocence. After parleying and replies, he was handed
over to the white men, and taken on board to be tried at Victoria.
The governor impressed upon them the advantage of keeping the laws
of the country, which if they did not, they would be severely
punished. Presents were distributed amongst them, which elicited
promises of good behavior and loyalty, and the forces withdrew.
MARINES AND BLUE JACKETS. — The other murderer must next be
followed to Nanaimo. The expedition, therefore, appeared before
that village on the 10th and demanded a conference, which was
promised for the following day. Governor Douglas was again in
command. The steamer Beaver on this occasion towed the Recovery,
which had on board a party of marines and blue jackets from the
Thetis to assist if required. Mr. J. W. McKay, who was at the time
in charge of the coal works at Nanaimo, was ordered to take twenty-
one voltigeurs, and secrete them near the mouth of the river to
watch the Indian village that no one should leave during the night.
One of the sentries observed at daylight, a small canoe with an
Indian paddling from the shore. He was at once pursued, and an
alarm given on passing the Recovery. A launch from the ship soon
followed, and overtook and passed the voltigeurs, overhauling the
canoe with its solitary passenger, who, on examination, proved to be
THE COLONIAL PERIOD.
a scout sent to warn a neighboring tribe. From him they received
particulars as to the whereabouts of the murderer.
RANSOM OFFERED IN FURS. — Early in the morning the natives
arrived at the Beaver with large quantities of furs, which they offered
to give up in place of the murderer. They were informed that no
amount of property could be taken as a price of the crime. The force
therefore landed to search the village. They found it deserted, but
did not touch any part of the property. Soon afterward the chief
appeared, and after a short parley, the murderer, who was one of the
chief's sons, was handed over to the marines to be tried at Victoria.
Thus both were captured without bloodshed. They were afterwards
convicted and executed at Victoria.
ANOTHER DIFFICULTY. — Not long afterwards a white man was
shot at by a Cowichin Indian, but not killed, although severely
wounded. The occurrence brought Governor Douglas to deal with
the case. Another party of men from the war vessel appeared
opposite Cowichin to support the governor. The natives were
requested to surrender the culprit, but refused, and showed a
disposition to fight. The governor landed his forces and drew
them up in position on the hill-side. The Indians formed nearly
opposite. A parley was demanded. The chief came forward, but
would not then come to terms. Governor Douglas, unwilling to shed
blood if it could be avoided, ordered his men to encamp on the
defensive, with mountain howitzer and muskets.
TRIED TO SHOOT THE GOVERNOR. — Next morning the chief was
again summoned to meet the governor in front of his men. Instead
of the chief, the culprit himself came forward, armed and painted,
followed at a short distance by the chief and Indian warriors. He
walked slowly and apparently hesitatingly, then suddenly raised his
gun, levelled it at the governor and pulled the trigger. It missed
fire, otherwise the governor would likely have been killed ; but he
gave no order for his men to fire. The chief seeing this, gave orders
to seize the offender, the governor calmly looking on. The would-be
murderer was bound by the savages and handed over to the whites
for trial. The trial took place immediately, and the Indian was
hanged on the nearest tree, in full view of the tribe. The Cowichins.
were quiet from that day forward.
240 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
CHAPTEK V.
THE BOUNDARY— STRAITS OF FUCA.
THE SAN JUAN BOUNDARY QUESTION which had been in abeyance
since 1846, came forward prominently in 1856. In that year the
United States Government appointed a commission to settle the
•disputed line of boundary which, following the 49th parallel of north
latitude to the sea, was then to continue to " the centre of the Gulf of
•Georgia, and thence southward through the channel which separates
the continent from Vancouver Island, to the Straits of Juan de
Fuca." The British Government at the same time appointed com-
missioners for the same purpose. In the autumn of 1856, Captain
Prevost was first selected, and was ordered to commission H.M.S.
Satellite, and proceed to Vancouver Island. It had been found that
no accurate chart existed of the islands in the straits or of the
•channels ; so it was determined by the Admiralty that a surveying
vessel should be despatched, iri the first place to make a complete
survey of the disputed waters, and afterwards to continue the survey
along the coasts of Vancouver Island and the mainland of the British
territory. Captain George Henry Richards was selected and ordered
to commission H.M.S. Plumper.
THE BOUNDARY COMMISSIONERS. — On the 18th of November, 1857,
Captain Richards proceeded from Esquimalt up the Haro Strait
and across the Gulf of Georgia to Semiahmoo, or Boundary Bay,
to determine the exact spot where the parallel of 49° north latitude
reached the sea-coast. The United States Commission consisted of
Archibald Campbell, Commissioner, appointed 14th February, 1857;
Lieutenant Parke, of the United States Topographical Engineers,
Asffconomer ; two or three assistant astronomers, a doctor, naturalist,
botanist, and a captain and subaltern in command of the military
•escort, which numbered about seventy men. They had already made
their observations, and were encamped near the computed line of
parallel, awaiting the arrival of the British Commission to confirm
their work. On being tested, the spot was found to differ only eight
feet from that fixed upon by the United States Commission. An
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 241
iron monument was placed on the north shore of Semiahmoo Bay to
mark the boundary. It was four feet high, four and a half inches
square at the top and six inches square at the base ; the words
"Treaty of Washington," on the north side, and "June 15th, 1846,"
on the south side.
CAPTAIN PREVOST'S VIEW. — The commissioners in discussing where
the line should be located, could not agree on the channel referred to
in the treaty. From the Gulf of Georgia east the line was run on
the 49th parallel by the survey party, and marked by iron monu-
ments at intervals of one mile, and stone monuments twenty miles
apart. A large cairn was erected on the boundary line at East
Kootenay. Referring to the views of the commissioners, Captain
Prevost gave as his view, that, "by a careful consideration of the
wording of the treaty, it would seem distinctly to provide that the
channel mentioned should possess three characteristics : First, it
should separate the continent from Vancouver Island ; second, it
should admit of the boundary line being carried through the middle
•of the channel in a southerly direction ; third, it should be a navigable
channel. To these three peculiar conditions the channel known as
Rosario Straits most entirely answers."
MR. CAMPBELL'S CONTENTION. — The United States commissioner
•contended that, according to the latest surveys, the Canal de Haro
was "pronounced the widest, deepest and best channel," besides being
a much shorter communication between the Pacific Ocean than that
by the way of Rosario Strait. The correspondence on this subject
was protracted and voluminous. The British authorities claimed that,
as the Hudson Bay Company had occupied the Island of San Juan
since 1843, it properly belonged to Vancouver Island, and that, if
Rosario Strait was considered too far south, there was a middle
channel which could be adopted as the line of boundary between the
British possessions and the United States. The discussion continued
for two years, during which time about thirty squatters claiming to
be United States citizens settled on San Juan.
THE CENTRAL CHANNEL. — The result of the survey in which Captain
Richards had been engaged, showed that in addition to the Rosario
Strait and to the Haro Channel, a third navigable channel existed
which connected Fuca Straits with the Gulf of Georgia. As soon as
this was made known to the British Government, and in view of the
difference of opinion between the commissioners as to which of the
already mentioned channels should become the boundary, Lord
16
242
HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Russell, then head of the foreign office, on August 24th, 1859r
addressed a despatch to Lord Lyons, the British minister at Wash-
ington, in which he proposed a compromise by adopting the central
channel. The commissioners, Messrs. Richards and Campbell, finding
that neither was prepared to defer to the arguments of the other,
and that under the circumstances it was useless to continue their
correspondence on the subject, signed, on 3rd December, 1867, a
minute recording their dis-
agreement, and adjourning
their proceedings until cir-
cumstances should render it
necessary for them to take
further steps.
LORD RUSSELL, in the de-
spatch referred to, says :
" The Earl of Aberdeen,
to whom I am referred, in-
forms me that he distinctly
remembers the general tenor
of his conversations with
Mr. McLane on the subject
of the Oregon boundary, and
it is certain that it was the
intention of the treaty to
adopt the mid-channel of
the straits as the line of de-
marcation without any re-
ference to islands, the posi-
tion and indeed the very
existence of which had
hardly at that time been
accurately ascertained ; and
he has no recollection of any
mention having been made
during the discussion of the Canal de Haro, or, indeed, p,ny other
channel than those described in the treaty itself.
" Her Majesty's Government trust that, as between this country
and the United States, the day for tedious arbitrations, and still more
for hostile demonstrations, is gone by ; they see no reason why this,
and, indeed, any other question which may, from time to time, arise,
should not be settled by direct and friendly communication between
the two governments. . . . The third channel as reported by
Captain Richards, answers in respect to its central position and
southerly direction, to the channel described in the treaty ; and
assuming it to have been the intention of the plenipotentiaries that
NvdL
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 243
the several channels connecting the Gulf of Georgia with Fuca
Straits should be considered for the purpose of the treaty as one
channel, it may fairly be argued that this central passage would not
only satisfy the requirements of the treaty, but would divide between
the two countries, in proportions which each party might consent to,
the cluster of islands by which the channel is intersected.
"The advantage of such a line would indeed be with the United'
States, for there are only three islands of any territorial importance
situated between the Haro Channel and Rosario Straits, viz., Orcas
and Lopez Islands, and the Island of San Juan ; and by the adoption
of the central channel a.s the boundary line, the first two named
islands would belong to the United States, while only the Island
of San Juan would remain to Great Britain. Your Lordship will
accordingly propose to the United States Government that the
boundary line shall be the middle channel between the Continent of
America and Vancouver Island . . . thus denned: 'Starting
from the north in the parallel 48° 50' north, and the meridian 123°
longitude west from Greenwich (as laid down on the accompanying
chart), the mid-channel would proceed due south, passing half way
between Patos Island on the east, and Point Saterina on the west.'
It will thus be observed that the meridian of 123° longitude west
from Greenwich, starting from the north in the parallel 48° 50', is
assumed as the boundary, and is only departed from when forced to
do so by the physical interference of the islands.
" This middle channel, though inferior in some respects to the Haro
Channel or to Rosario Straits, is described by Captain Richards as
being perfectly safe for steamers, and also, under ordinary circum-
stances, navigable for sailing vessels. Her Majesty's Government,
however, do not consider this point as of much importance, since their
proposition only extends to making this channel the line of boundary,
and they do not propose to alter in any way that stipulation of the
treaty which secures to the shipping of both countries the free
navigation of the whole of the channels and the straits — a stipulation
advantageous to both parties, and which her Majesty's Government
cannot doubt that the Government of the United States will agree
with them in thinking, must, under all circumstances, be maintained.
"It appears to her Majesty's Government that a boundary line
traced through the above mentioned channel, likewise recommends
itself for adoption as being in accordance with the principles which
regulated the division between the two countries in the Lower
St. Lawrence.
" Her Majesty's Government further submit to the Cabinet of
Washington, whether, to a view to mutual convenience, it might not
be desirable that the small promontory known as Point Roberts,
should be left to Great Britain. The point is of no intrinsic value
to either Government ; but its possession by the United States will
have the effect of detaching an isolated spot of small dimensions from
the more convenient jurisdiction of the British colony. As the
244 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Government of the United States will obtain under the proposal now-
made the more valuable portion of the islands in the straits, her
Majesty's Government consider that the retention of Point Roberts
can hardly be an object with them.
" There is one other consideration to which I would wish to draw
the attention of the Government of the United States. Irt the
discussions between Lord Ashburton and Mr. Webster, which
resulted in the treaty of 1842, the American plenipotentiaries argued
upon the relative importance to the two countries of the territory
then in dispute. Her Majesty's Government admitted the value of
that argument and acted upon it. The same language was employed
in 1846 upon the Oregon question, and on both occasions the United
States obtained the larger portion of the territory in dispute, their
plenipotentiaries successfully arguing that it was of greater value to
the United States than to Great Britain.
" Upon the present occasion this state of things is reversed. The
adoption of the central channel would give to Great Britain the
Island of San Juan, which is believed to be of little or no value
to .the United States, while much importance is attached by
British colonial authorities, and by her Majesty's Government, to its
retention as a dependency of the colony of Vancouver Island.
" Her Majesty's Government must, therefore, under any circum-
stances, maintain the right of the British crown to the Island of San
Juan. The interests at stake in connection with the retention of that
island are too important to admit of compromise, and your Lordship
will, consequently, bear in mind that whatever arrangement as to the
boundary line is finally arrived at, no settlement of the question will
be accepted by her Majesty's Government which does not provide for
the Island of San Juan being reserved to the British Crown.
" Her Majesty's Government hope that the United States Govern-
ment will appreciate the arguments you are instructed to employ,
and the spirit in which you will advance them ; and her Majesty's
Government will not permit themselves to believe that the negotiation
can, under such circumstances, fail of a successful issue.
" It may be proper, however, that you should make the Government
of the United States understand that this proposal of compromise,
which you are thus instructed to lay before them is made without
prejudice to the claim which her Majesty's Government consider
themselves justified in maintaining to the Rosario Channel as the true
boundary between her Majesty's possessions and those of the United
States. They offer the compromise in the hope that its acceptance by
the Government of the United States may obviate any further
discussion on this subject ; but, if it is rejected, they reserve to them-
selves the right to fall back on their original claim to its full extent."
SQUATTERS ON SAN JUAN. — Whilst the boundary surveys were being
made under the joint superintendence of Commissioners Campbell and
Prevost, other events were transpiring of a character which, but for
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 24-5
the tact and forbearance of Governor Douglas, and the officers of the
war ships at Esquimalt, and also of Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott,
Commander-in-Chief of the United States army, might have plunged
the two neighboring nations in war. San Juan Island, as is already
mentioned, had been occupied since 1843 by the Hudson Bay
Company, and at the time under review had on the island a stock
of five thousand sheep, a number of horses, cattle and pigs, and had
thus by occupation gained a right to the land. Attempts had been
made from time to time by squatters from the United States side to
establish themselves on the island, but their presence was not desired
by the parties in charge of the Hudson Bay Company's property.
In 1851, W. J. Macdonald (now Senator
Macdonald) arrived at Victoria, round Cape
Horn, in the bark Tory, Captain Duncan.
He was, within a couple of months afterwards,
sent by the Hudson Bay Company to San
Juan Island, to establish a salmon fishery
there. Indians were the principal fishermen.
During his stay on the island, a schooner
belonging to the United States, Captain
Balch, master, arrived and anchored in the
harbor. Mr. Macdonald boarded the vessel
SENATOR MACDONALD.
and informed the captain that he was not
permitted to trade on the island or fish in the adjacent waters. He
made no demur, but departed the same afternoon.
COLLECTORS SANKSTER AND EHEY.— When Oregon was divided in
1853, the 7iorthern portion became the State of Washington, but in
1852, the Oregon legislature had organized Whidbey Island and the
Haro Archipelago into a district called Island County. A collector
of customs, I. N. Ebey, for the Puget Sound district, in 1854, took it
upon himself to visit the Island of San Juan to collect customs dues
there for the United States. He found on the island CHARLES JOHN
GRIFFIN, a clerk of the Hudson Bay Company, who refused to
acknowledge Collector Ebey's authority, stating that the island
belonged to the colony of Vancouver Island, and that he himself was
a colonial justice of the peace. Mr. Griffin at once reported the
case to Governor Douglas, who in company with Mr. Sankster,
collector at the port of Victoria, proceeded on the Company's steamer
Otter to San Juan. Sankster landed and met Ebey, informing him
that he should seize all vessels and arrest all persons found navigating
246 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
the waters west of Rosario Strait and north of the middle of the
Strait of Fuca.
THE Two NATIONAL FLAGS UNFURLED. — After a warm discussion,
Ebey concluded that he would appoint a deputy collector on the
island and leave him there, and it would be seen who would interfere
with him in the discharge of his duties. Sankster invited Ebey to
go on board the Otter and confer with Governor Douglas on the
subject. The invitation was declined. The British flag was then
brought by Sankster on shore, and hoisted on the quarters of the
Hudson Bay Company. Collector Ebey unfurled the United States
revenue flag, which he had in his boat. A boat's crew was landed
from the Otter, with whom Sankster remained on the island.
•Governor Douglas returned in the Otter to Victoria.
SHEEP SOLD FOR TAXES. — Next morning Ebey swore in his deputy,
'Henry Webber, in presence of Griffin and Sankster. He then
returned to Puget Sound, leaving Webber in charge as deputy
collector, who remained on San Juan Island about a year, when fear
of the northern Indians caused him to leave. The property on San
.Juan Island was duly assessed by an officer from Puget Sound, whose
• duty was to appraise the property of u Island County." The
collections were not enforced until March 18th, 1855, when Elias
Barnes, sheriff" of Whatcom, seized and sold at auction thirty or more
of the sheep belonging to the Hudson Bay Company — the legislature
of Washington State having, in 1854-5, passed an Act attaching
San Juan and the adjacent islands to Whatcom County. For this
seizure a claim of about $15,000 was subsequently presented by the
Company. The bill was made out by Griffin for thirty-four imported
rams, seized and sold, estimated worth $3,750 : and the balance for
losses sustained in consequence of the violent acts of Sheriff Barnes
in driving the sheep into the woods, and the cost of collecting such
as were not altogether lost.
THOSE EXTREME PROCEEDINGS called forth a communication from
Governor Stevens, in 1855, to the Secretary of State, who issued
instructions in reply that all the territorial officers should abstain
from such acts, where land was in dispute, as were calculated to
provoke conflicts, and that the colonial Government should observe
the same rule. There was a deep-rooted enmity between the Indians
and the representatives of the United States, not only on the island,
but on the Washington mainland. Webber was succeeded by Oscar
Olney, who only remained but a few months. Paul K. Hubbs next
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 247
became deputy collector, but each of those " Boston men " had to
.apply at different times to Mr. Griffin, who as British magistrate
always cheerfully protected them in the time of difficulty. Collector
Ebey was killed in a scrimmage with the Indians at Bellingham Bay,
in 1857.
REPRESENTATIVES ON SAN JUAN. — In 1859, the Hudson Bay
Company had on San Juan Island, besides the chief clerk, Griffin,
•eighteen servants ; the squatters representing the United States
numbered twenty-nine. They, or a majority of them, had drifted
thither from the Fraser mines, and were not, generally speaking, a
very desirable class of settlers ; they, however, took advantage of the
undecided state of affairs in San Juan to take up their abode there.
Describing the heterogeneous population in Victoria about the same
period, Commander Mayne, in his " Four Years in British Columbia
and Vancouver Island," says : " The new-found mineral wealth of
British Columbia had attracted from California some of the most
reckless rascals that gold has ever given birth to. Strolling about
the canvas streets of Victoria might be seen men whose names were
in the black book of the Vigilance Committee of San Francisco, and
whose necks would not, if they had ventured them in that city, been
worth an hour's purchase."
DOUBTFUL CHARACTERS. — Some such characters doubtless were
numbered amongst the United States settlers on San Juan Island,
on whose account it was said to be necessary to land United States
military for their protection. At all events, the sheriff of Whatcom
County continued regularly to make his assessments, until they
amounted to $935. The collection, however, was not again enforced ;
but the United States inspector of customs was on hand to keep
account of goods landed, vessels arriving, etc. Affairs culminated
on the arrival of Brigadier-General W. S. Harney, in command of
the military department of Oregon, and his subordinates, Lieutenant-
Colonel Silas Casey, of the 9th Infantry, and Captain George E.
Pickett, of that regiment.
GENERAL W. S. HARNEY. —The brigadier-general, "a bellicose
patriot," had been employed in what is termed in the Western States,
^suppressing" Indians, and had won great renown and popularity
among the wild settlers and squatters of the west, towards whom lie
had long acted the part of a patron and protector. The wild guerilla
war in which he had been engaged, consisting chiefly in destroying
bands of Indians whenever met with, says Viscount Milton, had
248 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
evidently caused him to forget the lessons in international law which
he learnt at West Point, and he appears to have considered that a.
British colony might be "improved" off the face of the earth, as
easily and with as little ceremony as a tribe of Indians could be
L. A. CUTLER'S PIG. — A very trifling incident occurred on San-
Juan Island, in June, 1859, which, as has already been intimated,
but for the forbearance of both civil and military authorities at
Victoria and Esquimalt, would have led to direful consequences. A
man named Lyman A. Cutler, who claimed to be a citizen of the
United States, had squatted on the island, and had partially enclosed
a small patch of land, on which he had planted potatoes. It sc*
happened that on or about the 15th of June, he shot, in the forest
adjoining his house, a valuable hog belonging to the Hudson Bay
Company, which he alleged had trespassed on the unenclosed ground
he had taken possession of. In the course of the day, it chanced
that Mr. A. J. Dallas, accompanied with Dr. Tolmie and Mr. Eraser,
all leading men in the Hudson Bay Company, arrived at San Juan
by the Company's trading steamer Beaver.
On the following day the gentlemen mentioned, along with Griffin,,
called on Cutler, who admitted the offence, and threatened to shoot
any other of the Company's stock which should
interfere with him. He refused to pay the
sum demanded by Griffin for the valuable-
animal which he had killed. Mr. Dallas and
his friends returned to Victoria, and reported
the occurrence to Governor Douglas, suggest-
ing that he should communicate with the
governor of Washington Territory on the
subject. There is now nothing to show that
Governor Douglas made any representation of
the affair to the United States authorities,,
but maintained friendly relations with them,
not excepting General Harney, who, it is said, paid a complimentary
visit to Governor Douglas in the month of July. The headquarters
of the military department of Oregon was at Fort Vancouver, which
was formerly headquarters of the Hudson Bay Company.
PETITION TO HARNEY. — Returning to his command, General Har-
ney, on the 9th of July, landed at San Juan Island without any
apparent object, as none of the troops under his command were-
A. .1. DALLAS.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 249
stationed there. It was an opportune occasion for Cutler and his
associates to pour into the willing and sympathetic ear of the general
the tale of their woes and persecutions by hungry hogs and savage
Indians. He was told that Dallas had come in an armed vessel to
take Cutler to Victoria, when the fact was that Mr. Dallas and his
friends knew nothing of the death of the hog until after they arrived
on other business at the island. The result of the general's visit to
San Juan was, that on the llth of July a petition was presented to
him purporting to have been signed by twenty-two persons, styling
themselves "American citizens on the Island of San Juan."
HE INTERPRETS THE TREATY. — As a matter of course Cutler's name
was amongst the signatures, and also that of " United States Inspec-
tor of Customs," Paul K. Hubbs, Charles H. Hubbs, and Paul K.
Hubbs, jun. The petition contained a clause which was conclusive
to the mind of the general. It said: "According to the treaty
concluded June 15th, 1846, between the United States and Great
Britain (the provisions of which are plain, obvious, and pointed to us
all here), this, and all the islands of the Canal de Haro belong to us.
We therefore claim American protection in our present exposed and
defenceless position." This was just what General Harney appeared
to want. He did not communicate with the British authorities,
colonial or imperial, or with his commanding officer, or with the
supreme government at Washington, but proceeded at once to detach
a company of troops from Fort Bellingham to occupy the island,
under Captain Pickett. The captain's instructions from the general
concluded by stating: "In your selection of position, take into con-
sideration that future contingencies may require an establishment of
from four to six companies, retaining the command of the San Juan
harbor."
GENERAL HARNEY did not communicate with General Scott, Assist-
ant Adjutant-General, New York, until the 19th of July, when he
wrote him a letter containing the most extraordinary mis-statements,
and containing charges against Mr. Dallas, without giving that gen-
tleman an opportunity of denying them. He referred to the petition
from the squatters on the island, through Mr. Hubbs, desiring a force
to be placed upon the island "to protect them from the Indians, as
well as the oppressive interference of the authorities of the Hudson
Bay Company at Victoria with their rights as American citizens."
" Mr. Hubbs informed me," continued the general, " that a short time
before my arrival, the chief factor at Victoria, Mr. Dallas, son-in-law
250 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
of Governor Douglas, came to the island in the British sloop of war
Satellite, and threatened to take one of the Americans by force to
Victoria for shooting a pig of the Company's. The American seized
his rifle, and told Mr. Dallas if any such attempt was made he would
kill him on the spot. The affair ended. The American offered to
pay to the Company twice the value of the pig, which was refused.
To prevent a repetition of this outrage, I have ordered the company
at Fort Bellingham to be established on San Juan Island for the
protection of our citizens, and the steamer Massachusetts is directed
to rendezvous at that place with a second company to protect our
interests in all parts of the Sound."
MR. GRIFFIN'S LETTER AND REPLY. — Captain Pickett landed on
the 18th of July, but, strange to say, no official account of his having
landed appears in the documents furnished to the Senate. The first
notice in American state papers of the landing of troops in San Juan
Island is to be found in a letter addressed to Captain Pickett by Mr.
Griffin, dated July 30th, which says : " SIR, — I have the honor to
inform you that the Island of San Juan, on which your camp is
pitched, is the property and in the occupation of the Hudson Bay
•Company, and to request that you and the whole of the party who
have landed from the American vessels will immediately cease to
occupy the same. Should you be unwilling to comply with my
request, I feel bound to apply to the civil authorities. Awaiting
your reply, I am, etc." A reply was sent as follows: "MILITARY
CAMP, SAN JUAN, W.T., July 31, 1859. SIR, — Your communication
of this instant has been received. I have to state in reply that I do
not acknowledge the right of the Hudson Bay Company to dictate
my course of action. I am here by virtue of an order from my
Government, and shall remain until recalled by the same authority.
I am, etc."
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 251
CHAPTER VI.
A COLLISION PREVENTED BY GOVERNOR DOUGLAS.
VISCOUNT MILTON, writing on this subject, says: "The governor
at Victoria received information of the hostile occupation of the
island from Mr. Griffin, and the excitement on the receipt of the
intelligence was great. It is due entirely to the temper and judg-
ment of Governor Douglas that a collision did not at once ensue.
He immediately placed himself in communication with Captain
Prevost, the British commissioner, and, at his request, the latter
went to San Juan in the hope of finding Mr. Campbell, the United
States commissioner. On landing, he had an interview with Captain
Pickett, who declared he was merely acting under orders, that he
would prevent any inferior force landing, would fight any equal force,
and would protest against any superior force being landed. He
stated that he did not know whether the orders under which he acted
came originally from Washington, but took it for granted they did,
or General Harney would not have taken so decisive a step."
INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN PICKETT. — Captain Prevost then left,
and reported to the governor, who, after consultation with Admiral
Baynes, concluded that the case required further consideration before
consenting to land an equal force upon San Juan or establishing
a joint occupation on the island. He, however, directed Captain
Hornby, commanding her Majesty's ship Tribune, to communicate
with the officer in command of the detachment of the United States
troops which had landed 011 the island, to inquire of him the number
of troops under his command, with a view to landing an equal force
of British troops, if deemed expedient. Captain Hornby, therefore,
on the 3rd of August, having arrived at the island, proposed by.
letter that a meeting should take place between Captain Pickett and
himself on board the Tribune. Captain Pickett replied that he
would most cheerfully meet him in his camp. Captain Hornby
accordingly landed, with Captains Prevost and Richards, the British
252 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
commissioners. An interview took place between them at consider-
able length.
REDUCED TO WRITING. — The substance of the conversation during
the interview was reduced to writing by Captain Hornby, and
replied to next day by Captain Pickett, who inter alia remarked r
" Your recollection of said conversation seems to be very accurate.
There is one point, however, which I wish to dwell upon particularly,
and which I must endeavor, as the officer representing my Govern-
ment, to impress upon you, viz., that as a matter of course, I being
here under orders from my Government, cannot allow any joint
occupation until so ordered by my commanding officer, and that any
attempt to make such occupation as you have proposed, before I can
communicate with General Harney, will be bringing on a collision
which can be avoided by waiting this issue."
CAPTAIN PICKETT'S LETTER. — On the same date, August 3rd,,
Captain Pickett wrote to Captain Pleasonton, Adjutant-General,
Mounted Dragoons, Fort Vancouver : " CAPTAIN, — The British ships,
the Tribune, the Plumper, and the Satellite, are lying here in a
menacing attitude. I have been warned off by the Hudson Bay
Company's agent; then a summons was sent me to appear before a
Mr. DeCourcey, an official of her Britannic Majesty. ... I had
to deal with three captains, and I thought it better to take the brunt
of it. They have a force so far superior to mine that it will be
merely a mouthful for them ; still, I have informed them that I am
here by order of my commanding general, and will maintain mjr
position, if possible.
" They wish to have co-joint occupation of the island ; 1 decline
anything of that kind. They can, if they choose, land at almost
any point of the island, and I cannot prevent them. I have used
the utmost courtesy and delicacy in my intercourse, and, if it is-
possible, please inform me at such an early hour as to prevent a
collision. The utmost I could expect to-day was to suspend any
proceeding till they have had time to digest a pill which I gave them.
They wish to throw the onus on me, because I refused to allow them
to land an equal force, and each of us to have a military occupation,
thereby wiping out civil authorities. I have endeavored to impress
them with the idea that my authority comes directly through you
from Washington. . . .
THE CAPTAIN AS A PEACE-MAKER! — " The excitement in Victoria
and here is tremendous. I suppose some five hundred people have-
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 253
visited us. I have had to use a great deal of my peace-making
•disposition in order to restrain some of the sovereigns. ... I
must add that they seem to doubt the authority of the general
commanding, and do not wish to acknowledge his right to occupy
the island, which they say is in dispute, unless the United States
Government have decided the question with Great Britain. I have
so far staved them off by saying that the two governments have,
without doubt, settled this affair. ... In order to maintain
our dignity we must occupy in force, or allow them to land an
«qual force, which they can do now, and possibly will do in spite
of my diplomacy."
ADDITIONAL LETTERS. — THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL of Mounted
Dragoons wrote in reply, by order of General Harney, approving of
Captain Pickett's action, and enclosed a letter from General Harney
(August 6th) to Governor Douglas, to which the governor replied on
the 13th of August, thanking him for the manner in which he
communicated the reasons for occupying the Island of San Juan with
a portion of the military forces of the United States under his
command. He proceeded :
" I am glad to find that you have done so under general instructions
from the President of the United States, as military commander of
the Department of Oregon, and not by direct authority from the
Cabinet at Washington. You state that the reasons which induced
you to take that course, are the ' insults and indignities which the
British authorities of Vancouver Island, and the establishment of the
Hudson Bay Company, have recently offered to American citizens
residing on the Island of San Juan, by sending a British ship of war
from Vancouver Island to convey the chief factor of the Hudson Bay
Company to San Juan for the purpose of seizing an American citizen,
and transporting him to Vancouver Island to be tried by British
laws.'
" I will explain, for your information, that the agents of the
Hudson Bay Company hold no official position in Vancouver Island,
nor exercise any official power or authority, and are as entirely
distinct from the officers of the executive government as are any
other inhabitants of Vancouver Island. To the reported outrage on
an American citizen, I beg to give the most unhesitating and
unqualified denial. None of her Majesty's ships have ever been sent
to convey the chief factor or any officer of the Hudson Bay Company
to San Juan, for the purpose of seizing an American citizen, nor has
any attempt ever been made to seize an American citizen and to,
transport him forcibly to Vancouver Island for trial, as represented
by you.
" Up to a very recent period but one American citizen has been
254 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
resident on San Juan. About the commencement of the present year
a few American citizens began to ' squat ' upon the island, and upon
one occasion a complaint was made to me by a British subject of
some wrong committed against his property by an American citizen :
but no attention was paid to that complaint, out of consideration and
respect to the friendly Government to which the alleged offender
belonged, and whose citizens, I think it cannot be denied, have
always been treated with marked attention by all the British
authorities in those parts. With reference to San Juan in particular,
I have always acted with the utmost caution, to prevent, so far as
might lie in my power, any ill-feeling arising from collisions between
British subjects and American citizens, and have, in that respect,
cordially endeavored to carry out the views of the United States
Government, as expressed in a despatch from Mr. Marcy, dated 17th
July, 1855, to her Majesty's minister at Washington, a copy of which
I herewith enclose for your information, as I presume that the
document cannot be in your possession.
" Following the dignified policy recommended by that despatch, I
should, in any well-grounded case of complaint against an American
citizen, -have referred the matter to the federal authorities in
Washington Territory, well assured that if wrong had been committed,
reparation would have followed.
"I deeply regret that you did not communicate with me for
information upon the subject of the alleged grievance ; you would
then have learned how unfounded was the complaint, and the grave
action you have adopted might have been avoided. I also deeply
regret that you did not mention the matter verbally to me, when I
had the pleasure of seeing you at Victoria last month, for a few
words from me would, I am sure, have removed from your mind any
erroneous impressions, and you would have ascertained personally
from me how anxious I have ever been to co-operate to the utmost
of my power with the officers of the United States Government, in
any measures which might be mutually beneficial to the citizens of
the two countries.
"Having given you a distinct and emphatic denial of the circum-
stances which you allege induced you to occupy the Island of
San Juan with United States troops ; having shown you that the
reasons you assign do not exist, and having endeavored to assure you
of my readiness on all occasions to act for the protection of American
citizens, and for the promotion of their welfare, I must call upon you,
sir, if not as a matter of justice and humanity, to withdraw the
troops now quartered upon the Island of San Juan, for those troops
are not required for the protection of American citizens against
British authorities ; and the continuation of those troops upon an
island, the sovereignty of which is in dispute, not only is a marked
discourtesy to a friendly Government, but complicates to an undue
degree the settlement in an amicable manner of the question of
sovereignty, and is also calculated to provoke a collision between the
military forces of two friendly nations in a distant part of the world.''"
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 255
To the foregoing manly and able communication, General Harney
replied in an evasive and shuffling manner. In a letter to Colonel
S. Cooper, Adjutant-General, Washington City, D.C., August 8th,
he stated :
"That the Island of San Juan has for months past been under the
civil jurisdiction of Whatcom County, Washington Territory. A
justice of the peace had been established on the island, the people had
been taxed by the Company, and the taxes were paid by the foreigners
as well as Americans. An inspector of customs, a United States
officer of the Treasury Department, had been placed upon the island,
in the discharge of his proper duties. The British authorities at
Vancouver Island were aware of all these facts, and never attempted
to exercise any authority on the island, except clandestinely, as
reported yesterday, in the case of the pig which was killed."
And continuing, says :
" When Governor Douglas heard of the arrival of Captain Pickett's
command at San Juan, he appointed a justice of the peace and other
civil authorities at Victoria, and sent them over in the British ship
of war Plumper, to execute British laws on the island. Captain
Pickett refused to permit them to act as such, and I have now fully
and fairly explained all the facts which have any bearing upon the
occupation of San Juan Island, which was made an imperious necessity
by the wanton and insulting conduct of the British authorities of
Vancouver Island towards our citizens."
A DOUBLE GAME. — Such a letter does not reflect creditably on
General Harney, who, in connection with it, ordered Lieut. -Colonel
Casey, of the 9th Infantry, to reinforce the troops already on the
island, and seemed to be playing a double game. Lieut.-Colonel
Casey left Fort Steilacoom on the steamer Julia, on the 9th August,
and landed on the island on the 10th. He reports on the 12th, and
describes his landing in a dense fog. He says :
" After hugging the shore for a few miles I was informed by the
captain that we were but a short distance from Captain Pickett's
camp, that it was difficult to get along on account of the fog, and
that, moreover, the tide was so low that he would not be able to get
up to the wharf at the landing for several hours. Finding ourselves
in a smooth place near the land, with the coast so depressed at the
point as to make the ascent from the shore easy, I landed the troops
and howitzers, with orders to the senior officer to move them to
Captain Pickett's camp. I proceeded on the steamer around to the
wharf, taking with me my adjutant and a small guard for the
howitzer, ammunition and other public property."
256 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
READY FOR A BROADSIDE.— Lieut. -Colonel Casey goes on to report
how he found the Tribune with her fires up and guns pointed to the
landing, "but they did not interfere with the landing of the freight;"
although it was Captain Pickett's opinion that they would have given
a broadside to the troops if landed just there. This may account for
their being landed on the other side of the island on account of low
water, which appeared deep enough to bring the Julia around to the
wharf immediately after the men were landed. No time was lost by
Lieut.-Colonel Casey in sending an officer aboard the Tribune, with a
request that Captain Hornby would call on him at his camp to hold
a conference.
LIEUT.-COLONEL CASEY'S REPORT. — Boundary commissioners, Mr.
Campbell, in the Shubrick, and Captain Prevost, having arrived in the
Satellite, went ashore along with Captain Hornby to call on Lieut.-
Colonel Casey, who continues in his report pompously to say :
" I informed Captain Hornby that I had landed that morning with
a force of United States troops, and explained to him why I had not
landed at the wharf under the guns of the frigate. I also said to
him that I regretted that Captain Pickett had been so much harassed
and threatened in the position he had occupied. I inquired of Captain
Hornby who the officer highest in command was, and where he was
to be found. He said it was Admiral Baynes, and that he was then
on board the flagship Ganges, in Esquimalt harbor. I intimated a
wish to have a conference with the admiral, and that I would go
down to Esquimalt harbor next day for the purpose of the interview.
Both the captain and the British commissioner seemed pleased.
"The next day, accompanied by Captain Pickett (both of us in
full uniform) and Mr. Campbell, I went down to Esquimalt on the
steamer Shubrick. We anchored near the Ganges. I sent to the
admiral, by an officer, the note marked 'A'. I received in reply the
note marked 'B'. The note marked 'C' was taken on board by
Captain Pickett, and handed to the admiral in person. The captain
was courteously received , by the admiral. Governor Douglas was
present in the cabin. After reading the note the admiral handed it
to the governor. The governor inquired if I knew he was on board
the ship. The captain replied that he had no reason to suppose I
did, but that I had not sought an interview with him but with the
admiral. The captain then informed the admiral that the steamer
was then firing up, but that he would be happy to wait, should he then
desire to give me the conference. It was declined, but the admiral
reiterated his desire that he would be happy to see me on board the
ship. I was of opinion that I had carried etiquette far enough in
going twenty-five miles to see a gentleman who was disinclined to
<rome one hundred yards to see me. . . .
"I would advise that the general send an express to San Francisco
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 257
requesting the" naval captain in command to send up any ships of
war he may have on the coast. . . . The British have a sufficient
naval force here to effectually blockade this island when they choose.
. . . I request that five full companies of regular troops, with an
officer of engineers and a detachment of sappers, be sent here as soon
as possible."
On the 14th, Casey further reported that the Massachusetts had
landed her guns and ammunition, and that he had directed all the
supplies to be brought from that port to Camp Pickett, and that the
32-pounders should be placed in position as soon as possible ; from
all which it would appear that Lieut.-Colonel Silas Casey was very
anxious to bring on a war, and was preparing to sustain a siege.
PREPARING FOR WAR. — A reply was sent by Adjutant-General
Pleasonton from Fort Vancouver, on the 16th, to Casey, approving
of his action and stating that a detachment of engineers would be
sent ; in the meantime to have platforms made for the heavy guns,
and cover "your camp as much as possible by entrenchment, placing
your heavy guns in battery on the most exposed approaches; the
howitzers to be used to the best advantage with the troops, or in the
camp, according to circumstances. Select your position with the
greatest care to avoid the fire from British ships. In such a position
your command should be able to defend itself against any force the
British may land. The general has requested a naval force from the
senior officer on the coast, and has notified General Clarke, as well
as the authorities at Washington, of the existing state of affairs on
the Sound. Troops and supplies will be sent you as fast as they can
be collected. The general regrets, under all circumstances, your
visit to Esquimalt harbor to see the British admiral, but is satisfied
of your generous intentions towards them. He instructs you for the
future to refer all official communication desired by the British
authorities to these headquarters, informing them at the same time
that such are your orders."
"SPOILING FOR A FIGHT." — On the 18th of August, General Harney
sent a despatch to the Commander-in-Chief of the United States army,
General Winfield Scott, at Washington, D.C., in which he represents
proceedings at San Juan Island from his point of view, and sends a
list of the British fleet at Esquimalt as consisting of 5 vessels of war,
with 167 guns, 2,140 men, some 600 of which are marines and
engineer troops, and that this force had been using every means in
its power, except opening fire, to intimidate one company of infantry,
17
258 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
but sixty strong. On the 14th of August, he reports, Colonel Casey
had five companies with him on the island, and by the time he was
writing four companies more would have arrived as reinforcements.
General Harney, on the 24th of August, sent another despatch to
Adjutant-General Colonel S. Cooper, at Washington, D.C., in which
he commented on the letter of Governor Douglas of the 13th.
repeating former mis-statements respecting Cutler and the slaughter
of the pig, and the arrival of Mr. Dallas in a war ship, etc. Again,
on the 29th, he wrote to Colonel Cooper, recapitulating much of what
he had said already, bringing in the Hudson Bay Company and the
northern Indians, comparing them to the East India Company,,
which, he said, had crushed out the liberties and existence of so
many nations in Asia, and committed barbarities and atrocities for
which the annals of crime have no parallel. He characterized the
statements or denial of Governor Douglas as "only a quibble."
Another despatch is forwarded by General Harney to the same
officer on the 30th, in which he states the troops and artillery on the
Island of San Juan numbered 461 men, with eight 32-pounders, with
Colonel Casey in command, and that " from the conformation of the
island and the position occupied by the troops, the English could not
remain in the harbor under a fire from the 32-pounders, but would
be compelled to take distance in the Sound, from whence they could
only annoy us by shells, which would be trifling. The English have
no force that they could land which would be able to dislodge Colonel
Casey's command as now posted."
HARNEY SUPERSEDED. — LORD LYONS, her Majesty's minister at
Washington, had not heard of the proceedings at San Juan until the
3rd of September, when he at once had a conference with Mr. Cass.
On the 7th, the conversation which took place there was reduced to
writing and sent to Mr. Cass. The subject was brought before the
President of the United States, who expressed the greatest regret
and surprise at the unauthorized and unjustifiable action of General
Harney. Instructions were issued to General Winfield Scott to-
proceed to Washington Territory to take command of the United
States forces in that district, which superseded General Harney. A
despatch was sent by Mr. Cass to Mr. Gholson, governor of Wash-
ington Territory, desiring his co-operation.
GENERAL SCOTT'S INSTRUCTIONS were dated 1 6th of September, 1859.
He arrived at Fort Vancouver on the 20th of October, and next day
had an interview with General Harney. On the 22nd he left for
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 259
Port Townsend, and on the 25th October wrote to Governor Douglas,
in which he submitted a proposition that Great Britain and the
United States should each occupy a separate portion of San Juan
Island, and that the number should not exceed one hundred men. To
this Governor Douglas replied that he could not agree on the part of
Great Britain to land troops on San Juan, without authority from
the Government of her Britannic Majesty. On the 2nd of November,
General Scott again wrote to Governor Douglas, enclosing a memor-
andum of a " Project of a Temporary Settlement," which was in effect
the former proposal of each nation to occupy the island until the
two governments should have time to settle the question of title
diplomatically.
GOVERNOR DOUGLAS REPLIED on the 3rd of November to the same
effect as in his former letter. On the 5th, General Scott informed
Governor Douglas that the United States troops on San Juan would;
be reduced to Captain Pickett's company of infantry, which had
been sent there in July last. General Scott further ordered that
Captain Hunt and his company and Assistant-Surgeon Craig should
remain on the island until further orders ; and that Lieut. -Colonel
Casey will cause the heavy guns to be replaced on board the propeller
Massachusetts, to be returned to their former stations. Copies of the
orders were sent to Governor Douglas, who expressed satisfaction at
the change which had been made by General Scott, and informed
him he would represent the case to her Majesty's Government.
RECALLED TO REPORT AT WASHINGTON. — General Harney retained
his command under the supervision of General Scott for some time.
Indeed it was not until June 8th, 1860, that he received the following
notice from the War Department : " Brigadier-General William S.
Harney will, on receipt hereof, turn over the command of the Depart-
ment of Oregon to the officer next in rank in that Department, and
repair without delay to Washington City, and report in person to the
Secretary of War." Before his recall he had interfered with Captain
Hunt, who was withdrawn from the island, but afterwards restored
with his company there.
LORD LYONS TO MR. CASS. — Captain Pickett, by Harney 's orders,
was sent to relieve Captain Hunt on the 30th of April, 1860. As
soon as that intelligence reached Washington, Lord Lyons wrote to
Mr. Cass, Secretary of State, calling his attention to the change
which had been made. * General Scott sent the following reason why
he had substituted Hunt for Pickett, viz.: "Pickett, on landing on
260 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
the island, issued a proclamation declaring the island belonged to the
United States, and other points offensive to the British authorities,
and as my mission was one of peace, I thought it my duty to substitute
Hunt for Pickett. . . . Hunt (as our officers informed me) was
remarkable for firmness, discretion and courtesy. It will be seen by
Brigadier-General Harney's instructions to Pickett, of the last month,
that Harney considers San Juan Island as a part of Washington
Territory, and Pickett is directed to acknowledge and respect the
authority of that Territory. If this does not lead to a collision of
arms, it will again be due to the forbearance of the British authorities,
ior I found both Brigadier-General Harney and Captain Pickett
proud of their conquest of the island, and quite jealous of any
/interference therewith on the part of higher authority." Mr. Cass in
<his reply to Lord Lyons said : " The orders of General Harney, to
which your Lordship called attention, have been read by the President,
both with surprise and regret. . . . He has been recalled from his
command."
JOINT MILITARY OCCUPATION. — Rear- Admiral Robert Lambert
Baynes and Governor Douglas finally agreed to a joint military
occupation of the island ; and on 20th of March, 1860, a detachment
of Royal Marines, under Captain George Bazalgette, was disembarked
• on San Juan. In point of number they were equal to the company
of the United States troops under the command of Captain Hunt.
'They carried their ordinary arms only. The orders issued to Captain
Bazalgette were that the object of placing them was for the protection
-of British interests, and to form a joint military occupation with the
troops of the United States. Captain Bazalgette was to place himself
in frank and free communication with the commanding officer of the
United States troops, that the most perfect and cordial understanding
should exist between them, which the rear-admiral felt assured he
would at all times find Captain Hunt ready and anxious to maintain.
OTHER QUESTIONS OF IMPORTANCE to both Great Britain and the
United States served, from time to time, to divert their attention from
the settlement of the San Juan Island question. The 49th parallel *
Boundary Commission closed in May, 1862. Correspondence of great
length continued respecting the island boundary between the Govern-
ments of Great Britain and the United States, during 1860 ; but when
the civil war broke out in the United States, in April, 1861, the
parties of the North and South stood committed to face a great war*
before which all other controversies had to give way. Great Britain
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 261
did not press the question of the boundary on the Government of the
United States in that hour of difficulty, so it remained in abeyance
until 1868.
WHISKEY SELLERS CAUSE TROUBLE. — The island continued in the
joint occupation of the two governments. Captain Hunt filled his
position faithfully, but fell in the good graces of the " United States
subjects," who accused him of insulting the whole of the inhabitants
of the island, and that his conduct was gross and ungentlemanly.
They got up a petition to General Harney to have Hunt removed. It
turned out that the trouble was with a few illicit liquor dealers, who
lived by dealing poison to the soldiers, and who had no other stake
on the island than that arising from their ill-gotten gains. The
whiskey sellers (three of whose names were on the petition) were
banished from the island. Captain Gray, some time afterwards,,
succeeded Captain Hunt. He got into trouble with Jared C. Brown,
deputy marshal ot Port Townsend, who complained to Secretary o£
State Seward that Captain Gray refused to be arrested. The deputy
marshal was met by Gray's men, who supported their captain in the
charge against him, which was that he had ejected from the island a
troublesome squatter who had built a fence between the military post,
and the landing. The process was returned "unserved."
SUNDRY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO BE DEALT WITH. — The Alabama
claims, the naturalization question, the fishery question and the
reciprocity treaty with Canada, each came up in the interim. In
February, 1868, Mr. Seward, in compliance with a resolution of the
United States senate of 18th December, 1867, presented a report,
together with a number of papers known as "American State
Papers," in which reference was made to the Island of San Juan. A
protocol was signed at London on the 17th of October, 1868, by Lord
Stanley and Reverdy Johnson, agreeing to refer the location of the
boundary line to some friendly sovereign according to the treaty of
1846. The President of the Federal Council of the Swiss Republic-
was named as arbitrator. Lord Clarendon having succeeded Lord
* Stanley at the foreign office, another convention was held, embodying
certain amendments, but nominating the former arbitrator. A new
treaty was signed by Clarendon and Reverdy Johnson, January 14th,
1869. When it was brought before the senate in April for ratifica-
tion, it was decided by that body to defer further consideration until
the next session, to open in December, 1869. The proviso of the
United States constitution which requires the assent of the senate to-
262 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
the ratification of a treaty by the president, may be used to place the
negotiating party in an awkward and humiliating position.
EMPEROR WILLIAM'S DECISION. — Further delays kept the question
in abeyance until 1871, when commissioners were sent to Washington
to hold another convention, at which it was agreed that the San Juan
Island boundary question should be submitted to the arbitration and
award of Emperor William of Germany. The German emperor
accepted the office of arbitrator. The case was laid before him with
maps and documents, by the United States minister in Germany, Geo.
Bancroft, and by the British charge d'affaires, Mr. Petre, who had the
responsibility of presenting the arguments on both sides. Captain
(afterwards Admiral) Prevost, the British boundary commissioner of
1859, was also present in Berlin, to advocate his views. The award,
was not made until October 21st, 1872, when, incomprehensible as it
may appear, in view of the whole facts, it was given in favor of the
United States. The people of British Columbia, though grievously
disappointed, accepted the decision magnanimously. Had the
Emperor's decision been the middle channel, as was proposed, it would
have been a convenience to have kept possession of San Juan, and
prevented the island from being used as a smuggling rendezvous ; yet
the colony did not notice the difference, and continued to prosper
without it. In a few weeks after the award was made known, the
British troops were withdrawn from the island. The best of good
feeling existed between both officers and men of both nations during
their joint occupation of the island.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 263
CHAPTEK VII.
RAPID SPREAD OF MINING NEWS.
GOLD DISCOVERIES. — The summer of 1858 was an active and
anxious time for Governor Douglas. Along with the ordinary
business of the colony and the Company, came the San Juan
boundary difficulty arid the gold excitement, which latter, of itself,
as it developed, must have required an extraordinary amount of
care and attention. The solicitude /of the home Government, as
manifested in the admirable despatches from Lord Lytton, to have
the new colony based on just^a»d. liberal principles and in conson-
ance with British law jjjftcTireedom is evident, and required a man
of the ability of Douglas to carry them into effect so ably and
harmoniously.
THOMPSON AND FRASEB RIVERS. — In 1857, the Hudson Bay Com-
pany- had received, from October 6th to the end of the year, three
hundred ounces of gold through their agents at the Thompson and
Fraser Rivers. The officers of the Company at Victoria were aware
of the auriferous wealth of those rivers. Governor Douglas, in a
despatch dated December 29th, to Secretary of State Labouchere,
.states, that "the auriferous character of the country is daily becoming
more developed, through the exertions of the native Indian tribes,
who, having tasted the sweets of gold-finding, are devoting much of
their time and attention to that pursuit." Other parties from Oregon
and Washington Territories had come north by way of Colville, and
found their way to the junction of the Thompson and Fraser Rivers.
They found several rich bars in that vicinity and worked them with
good success.
AUTHORITY REQUIRED. — Hearing of this success, John Scranton,
an experienced miner, McMullin, governor of the territory, and
Secretary Mason, accompanied by Ballou, also a miner, and several
others, proceeded to Victoria to ascertain the truth of the reports
which they had heard. The reports were confirmed, and a procla-
mation was issued by Governor Douglas, bearing the date of his
264 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
despatch to Labouchere, declaring that, as the gold-bearing regions
referred to at or near Thompson and Fraser Rivers belonged to the
Crown of Great Britain, all persons were forbidden to dig or disturb
the soil in search of gold until authorized in that behalf by her
Majesty's colonial Government.
THE NEWS SPREAD RAPIDLY. — This information made the inquirers
from San Francisco more anxious. On their return the news spread
like wild-fire. Ballou, having been engaged in the southern mines,
and also in the northern mines, partly as an expressman, forthwith
made arrangements to start " Ballou's Express " from San Francisco
to the Fraser River mines. Governor Douglas further reported to
Labouchere, January 14th, 1858: "There is reason to suppose that
the gold region is extensive, and I entertain sanguine hopes that
future researches will develop stores of wealth, perhaps equal to the
gold-fields of California — the geological formation being similar in
character to the structure of the mountains in Sierra Nevada."
NATIVES JEALOUS. — He also wrote on the 6th of April: "The
search for gold up to the last dates from the interior was carried on
almost exclusively by the native population, who had discovered the
productive mines, and washed out all the gold, about eight hundred
ounces, thus far exported from the country, and that they were
extremely jealous of the whites digging for gold. In addition to
the diggings before known on Thompson River and its tributary
streams, a valuable deposit has recently been, found by the natives
on the bank of the Fraser River, about five miles beyond its con-
fluence with the Thompson ; and gold in smaller quantities has been
found in possession of the natives as far as the great falls of the
Fraser, some miles above the Forks."
THE GOLDEN "AURORA BOREALIS." — Thus the discovery became
known and spread with astonishing rapidity. A descriptive writer
says : " It is noised abroad that gold abounds in British Columbia.
Then men everywhere throughout the world begin to- study their
maps to see where is situated the favored isle that guards the
auriferous mainland. California is to be outdone, as the rivers of
British Columbia are larger than those of California. The glories
of Australia shall pale before this new golden aurora borealis. As
in California the precious metal was most abundant near the sources
of the streams, and was thought by some to have flowed in with the
streams from the north ; so in the north, it is now expected, may be
found the primitive source where the deposits were originally formed.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 265
And so the settlers on Vancouver Island, on the Cowlitz, and on
the Columbia, leave their farms ; then the servants of the monopoly
fling off their allegiance ; the saw mills round the Sound are soon
idle, and finally wave after wave of eager adventurers roll in from
the south and east, from Oregon and from California, from the
islands and Australia, from Canada and Europe, until the third
great DEVIL-DANCE of the nations within the decade begins upon
the Fraser."
CREWS DESERT VESSELS. — The San Francisco Herald of the 20th
of April, 1858, recorded that the excitement was fully equal in extent
to that which arose in the Atlantic States from the reports of gold
discoveries in California in 1848-9. Several hundred persons had
gone to Fraser River from Puget Sound. The excitement was much
greater in Washington and Oregon Territories than on Vancouver
Island. Crews brought vessels from San Francisco for lumber to
Puget Sound, and then deserted them. From the interior of Cali-
fornia all classes abandoned their occupations and made their way to
San Francisco. In April the whole of the country was in a ferment.
Hundreds from the northern counties of California took the overland
route ; companies of men, numbering from four to five hundred,
accompanied by pack trains, travelled by the interior route. They
found it necessary to travel in large companies for protection against
Indians.
• THE OVERLAND RouTE.-^The route taken was by Okanagan to
Kamloops. A train of waggons drawn by oxen came from Portland,
encamping at Dallas. The loads were provisions, and each waggon
contained about three thousand pounds. The Columbia River was
crossed at Okanagan by swimming the oxen and placing the waggons
and freight on canoes lashed together. The companies which travelled
by pack trains moved more rapidly than the " bull trains." Palmer,
who organized the cattle train, made a second trip in 1859, going as
far north as Alexandria and Lightning Creek. The oxen were sold
for beef after arriving at their journey's end. Another route was by
.Whatcom and Puget Sound, but the main body of miners came direct
from San Francisco.
WELL ORGANIZED. — One of those companies from Oregon and
California, which was organized under the leadership of David
McLaughlin, remained at Walla Walla a few days to recruit. They
had, according to Bancroft, about three hundred and fifty horses and
mules, and numbered one hundred and sixty men, all well armed with
266 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
revolvers, ninety rifles, besides other arms. Before starting, Mr.
Wolfe, a trader from Colville, arrived at their camp and informed
them of the hostile attitude of the natives along the proposed route,
advising a thorough military organization. Four divisions were
accordingly formed and placed under the command of James
McLaughlin, Hambright, Wilson and another. The Walla Wallas,
Palouses, Okanagans and other tribes were hostile. The party
passed through the Grand Coulee to Okanagan. On their way over
the Columbia plains, a German who had lagged behind was seized by
the savages and killed.
INDIAN FORTIFICATIONS. — After crossing the Columbia, and travel-
ling for two or three days, when near the boundary line on the east
side of Okanagan River, the party came to a hill on which were rude
fortifications, and Indians in force on each side of the road, which
there had to pass through a canyon. McLaughlin discovered an
Indian's head peering over a rock. The men took promptly to their
work, and fought till night. None of the animals stampeded ; they
and the trains were conducted to the plateau below. While the
riflemen continued after nightfall facing the Indians, a detachment
prepared rafts to cross the river, with the intention of flanking the
savages in their defences and formidable fastnesses.
FIRES AND COUNTER-FIRES. — Three of the Californians were killed,
and seven were wounded, but recovered. In the night the Indians
set fire to the grass, and the gold-hunters set counter-fires, but neither
party succeeded in burning the other out. Next morning the white
men proceeded to bury their dead, and discovered that the Indians
had abandoned their stronghold. It had about a hundred breast-
works, each made to shelter one Indian. At the time of the attack
-eighty savages occupied the places of shelter.
THE PROWLING SAVAGES FOLLOW. — Between two and three days
after the skirmish referred to, another attack was made on the party,
this time on the west side of Okanagan River. A hundred mounted
warriors rode down upon them, with the intention of separating the
party from their animals. The purpose of the savages was anticipated
and prevented. After considerable delay and parley, peace was made
with the hostile tribe, the Okanagans, and the gold-hunters continued
their march without further delay. The prowling savages, with
hostile and thieving intent, continued to follow them to a point
within three days' march of Thompson River. That stream was
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 267
reached twelve miles above its mouth. Wolfe, the trader, had sixty
head of cattle stolen by the Indians during the trip.
OVER THIRTY THOUSAND PEOPLE.— According to the estimate of
John Nugent, who acted as consular agent for the United States, in
May, June and July, 1858, at least twenty-three thousand persons
went from San Francisco by sea, and about eight thousand overland,
making an aggregate of over thirty thousand in the course of the
season. Out of this vast number, the same authority says they all
returned to the United States before January, 1859, with the excep-
tion of about three thousand. The emigration was encouraged by
steamboat owners, who reaped a rich harvest by the excitement. All
sorts of craft were engaged in the transport trade — crowded and
uncomfortable. A writer says : " The worm-eaten wharves of San
Francisco trembled almost daily under the tread of the vast multitude
that gathered to see the northern-bound vessels leave." Many of the
adventurers were well supplied with tools, and brought plenty of
money to invest in land and other speculations. The money, as a
rule, was placed in the hands of the Hudson Bay Company, as the
only safe in the country was owned by them in Victoria.
GOLD DOST ON DEPOSIT. — On the 20th of April, 1858, the steamer
Commodore left San Francisco with the first party of four hundred
-and fifty of those adventurers. Governor Douglas, writing to London
of their arrival, says : " There seems to be no want of capital among
them. About sixty were British subjects, sixty Californians, and
the remainder Germans, French and Italians." Mr. Finlayson, the
treasurer of the Hudson Bay Company, received such gold as they
wished to deposit for safe keeping. He required that each man's
gold should be placed in a sack and sealed, with the owner's name on
it, and a receipt granted. When the owner wanted the money, he
produced the receipt and the sack was handed over to him ; or if he
wished to use a portion of the contents, he might take it out of the
bag and put on a new seal. There was no counting of the money.
Mr. Finlayson, in later days, referred with justifiable pride to the
fact that not one instance of complaint or loss ever occurred.
TOWNSEND AND WnATCOM. — Before navigation on the Fraser was
properly established, the Pacific Mail Company, of San Francisco,
landed passengers at Port Townsend, in Puget Sound. Whatcom,
also, was made a landing-place for the miners, and an attempt
made to establish a town there. A trail was made overland to the
diggings, but subsequently abandoned, when Fraser River was found
268 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
practicable for large steamers. It was arranged that by payment of
a royalty for each trip, United States steamers were permitted to
enter the Fraser, and run from Victoria to Langley and Hope. The
trail from Whatcom touched the Fraser at Smess, twenty miles above
Langley. The fare being twenty dollars from Victoria to Yale,
many of the miners provided their own boats, and it is stated that
hundreds of them were never heard of after leaving Victoria, having
been swamped in sudden storms or by treacherous tide-rips. Not a
few returned to Victoria, after attempting to pass through the
numerous channels of the Haro Archipelago, which required some
skill to navigate them with safety or prevent getting bewildered
amongst their tortuous passages.
THE RATES OF PASSAGE from San Francisco were : first-class, by
steamer, $65 ; steerage, $35 ; by sailing craft, from $25 to $60.
Cornwalis estimated that up to the 20th June, 14,000 persons had
embarked at San Francisco by steam and sail. Commander R. CL
Mayne, of the Royal Navy, who was at Victoria and in British
Columbia in connection with the Admiralty surveys during the gold
excitement, had an excellent opportunity of knowing the exact state
of affairs. He says : " The excitement in Victoria, I think, reached
its climax in July. On the 27th of June, the Republic steamed into-
Esquimalt harbor from San Francisco with 800 passengers ; on the
1st of July, the Sierra Nevada landed 1,900 more ; on the 8th of the
same month, the Orizaba and the Cortez together brought 2,800 ;
and they all reported that thousands waited to follow. The sufferings
of the passengers upon this voyage, short as it is, must have been
great, for the steamers carried at least double their complement of
passengers. Of course, Victoria could not shelter this incursion of
immigration, although great efforts were made, and soon a large town
of tents sprung up along the harbor side."
As the bustle increased so did the work and responsibilities of
Governor Douglas. Despatches to and from the home Government
multiplied, and, whether sent or received, required thought and
consideration. Thousands of natives also were attracted to Victoria
which added to the confusion, and it was fortunate that the Hudson
Bay Company understood how to manage them so well, and had them
so much under authority. Reviewing the state .of affairs just then.,
Bancroft says, "the country was transformed, as by magic, from staid
savagery to pandemonium."
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 269
WAR VESSELS. — Fortunately for Governor Douglas, there were at
Esquimalt a large fleet of British war vessels. The Satellite and
Plumper were engaged in making surveys of the coast and denning
the various channels around the islands in the Gulf of Georgia.
Admiral Baynes also arrived in the Ganges accompanied by the
Tribune, The Otter and the Beaver, belonging to the Company, were
also available, and were armed with boarding nettings, etc. The
Satellite was stationed at the mouth of the Fraser, with revenue
officers aboard to collect toll on vessels entering the river. The
Plumper assisted in enforcing the regulations. It was necessary to
establish some sort of government to maintain peace and order, and
although Governor Douglas was only appointed to govern the colony
of Vancouver Island, he assumed authority as being the nearest
representative of Queen Victoria to the mainland.
VISIT TO THE MAINLAND. — A proclamation was issued on the 8th
of May, 1858, warning all persons that "any vessels found in British
north-west waters," not having a license from the Hudson Bay
Company, and a sufferance from the customs officer at Victoria,
should be forfeited. " To see for himself how the mining crowds were
operating, Governor Douglas proceeded to the mainland. He was
anxious especially that peaceful relations with the natives should be
maintained. He knew from the history of mining in California that
serious collision with the tribes might occur. The Indians argued
that as they had received pay for their furs, they must also have pay
for gold, and did not wish strangers to come into the country and
carry it away from them.
LICENSES GRANTED. — On arriving at Langley, then the metropolis
of the mainland, Governor Douglas found speculators taking possession
of the land, and even staking out lots for sale. He also found
sixteen canoes without license; they were seized, but released and
passes granted on the payment of five dollars each. Goods found for
sale by traders were seized and forfeited as contraband. . On his way
to Fort Hope, he received letters from Mr. Walker, in charge there,
stating that " Indians are getting plenty of gold, and trade with the
miners. Indians' wages from three to four dollars per day. There
were miners at Hill Bar, two miles below Fort Yale, making on an
average one and a half ounces per day, each man. Eighty Indians
and thirty white men were employed." A log house and store was
built a short distance from the fort, and a boarding house opened a
short distance beyond the fort. Thus it was evident that the fur
270 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
trade in that region was ruined, as the Indians had caught the gold
fever as well as the white miners.
A STANDARD LICENSE. — Fort Hope then became the most important
place on the mainland, on account of its mineral surroundings. The
governor found it necessary to establish mining regulations and
licenses, as previous to his arrival the miners has posted regulations
amongst themselves on Hill Bar. A claim according to their law
consisted of twenty-five feet frontage ; but the standard license was
granted on payment of twenty-one shillings by each miner, and must
be carried on the miner's person, for access and examination.
Sunday was to be observed. One claim, 12 feet square. To a
party of two miners, 12 feet by 24 ; to a party of three miners,
18 feet by 24 ; to a party consisting of four miners, 24 feet by
24 = 576 square feet, beyond which no greater area would be allowed
in one claim.
PROVISIONS SCARCE. — The governor visited several of the mining
camps in the vicinity. He had a meeting at Fort Yale with several
chiefs, and cautioned them as to their behavior towards the whites.
Richard Hicks, an English miner, was appointed revenue officer at a
salary of forty pounds a year to be paid out of the revenue of the
country. Gold was plentiful, more so, the miners think, than
formerly found in California. Provisions were scarce — pork, coffee
and flour, each one dollar a pound. Therefore permission was, on
the governor's return to Victoria, granted to two steamers to carry
provisions as well as passengers to the Fraser River diggings. The
matter was made the subject of a conference, held 10th June, 1858,
between the Council and members of the Assembly. The speaker
pointed out that, as the Hudson Bay Company would not be able to
supply the large number of people that would be at the mines in a
very short time, it would be necessary and proper to allow vessels
to carry provisions.
INDIAN OPPOSITION TO "BOSTON MEN." — GEORGE PERRIER was
created justice of the peace at Hill Bar. Several Indians were also
appointed magistrates to bring to justice any members of their tribes
who might be charged with having committed offences. Bands of
natives were becoming troublesome and more opposed to the presence
of white miners. Governor Douglas who always had great influence
with the Indians, got matters quieted down. The miners who came
in from California and Oregon by the Colville route, met with great
opposition from the natives, whilst the Hudson Bay traders were
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 271
allowed to pass through unmolested. It does not follow from this
that the officers of the Hudson Bay Company instigated the attacks
of the hostile Indians. On the contrary, it was through their
influence that an Indian war was avoided on the British side of the
boundary line. The real cause was the general antipathy of the
Indians against the " Boston men," and that on the United States
side of the line several engagements had taken place between Colonel
Steptoe and the Indians of the Columbia.
AN ENCOUNTER. — In August the Indians had become so bold that
on the 7th of the month they killed two Frenchmen on the trail above
the Big Canyon. When the news of the outrage reached Yale, forty
miners immediately organized under Captain Blouse, to force a
passage to the Forks. On reaching Boston Bar, they united with
about 150 miners who had gathered there. They had an encounter
on the 14th of August, near the head of Big Canyon. The fight
lasted three hours. Seven Indian braves were killed. The Indians
were routed, and whether hostile or peaceable, were all driven out of
the canyon. The company returned to Yale, where on the 17th two
thousand miners attended a meeting to consider the best mode of
dealing with the Indians.
SNYDER CHOSEN LEADER. — A leader was chosen by them, H. M.
Snyder, whom they elected captain of the force. Over 150 men were
enrolled under Snyder's leadership and his lieutenant, John Centras,
who represented the French-Canadians. A small party of Whatcom
men enrolled themselves under Captain Graham. On the 18th the
whole force set out for Spuzzum, carrying a few days' provisions.
They encamped at the Rancheria for the night. Their number was
there augmented to about two hundred men. Snyder held a meeting,
and represented the necessity for united action in order to bring the
expedition to a successful and speedy issue. He also advocated con-
ciliatory measures, and, after some argument, had a majority in
favor of the Pacific plan, and was voted the recognized commander.
BAD MANAGEMENT. — Snyder, without delay, marched with his
men to Long Bar, where the most troublesome of the natives were
assembled. He held a parley with them, at which they declared
they desired peace, so he concluded a treaty with them. A flag of
truce (white) was sent, along with five natives, to a place about four
miles distant, where Graham's party had promised to wait. Instead
of honoring the flag, he took it and trampled upon it. The Indians
retired, and Graham camped there for the night. Before morning
272 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
an attack was made by the Indians on Graham's camp. He and
his lieutenant were killed by the first fire. The Indians at once
retreated, having apparently obtained sufficient revenge for the out-
rage which they considered had been made on their flag. Snyder
continued his march along the Fraser to Thompson River, returning
on the 25th to Yale, having made treaties of peace with two
thousand Indians between Spuzzum and the Forks. In the course
of the campaign thirty Indians were killed, and they nearly all by
the rifle company at the beginning of the fight.
PEACE RESTORED. — In the meantime Governor Douglas had pre-
pared to make another journey to the mining region, with thirty-five
sappers and miners and twenty marines from the Satellite, but on
hearing of the result of Snyder's expedition, did not deem further
interference necessary. The miners set to work again on their
claims. Along the Fraser River they had no further trouble with the
Indians, who rather assisted the magistrates in keeping order, by
arresting gamblers and other outlaws that otherwise might have
escaped the vigilance of the local officials. The trails towards .Lytton
were then considered safe for travel, and were crowded with miners
carrying their provisions and outfits towards the interior. Govern-
ment affairs were progressing quietly at Victoria, notwithstanding
the great stir caused by the numerous arrivals and departures which
took place daily.
A CONFERENCE WAS HELD at the Government House, on the 10th
of June, 1858, between his Excellency Governor Douglas and his
Council — John Work and Roderick Finlayson — and the following
members of the Assembly : Messrs. Skinner, Yates, Pemberton,
McKay and Dr. Helmcken. The subjects were :
1. EXCLUSIVE TRADE AND NAVIGATION. — With regard to the rights
of the Hudson Bay Company, as to the exclusive right of navigation
-and trade, Dr. Helmcken suggested that the license granted them
referred only to trade with Indians and not to white men. His
Excellency replied that at the time of granting the license there
were no white men resident in the territory, and that therefore they
•did possess the exclusive right of navigation and trade.
2. NAVIGATION LAWS. — Whether the executive had assumed any
authority over Fraser River, his Excellency said he had not
assumed any such authority ; but as representative of the Crown
he had taken measures to preserve law and order, and had made
regulations enforcing the navigation laws of Great Britain. He
had allowed persons to go up the river, and granted them licenses
to mine; had appointed custom house officers and justices of the
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 273
peace, and had called upon her Majesty's ship Satellite to assist in
preventing any violation of the navigation laws.
3. THE GOVERNOR'S A UTHORITY. — On the point, by whose authority
the "suffrances" to Fraser River navigation are granted, the gover-
nor stated they were granted by him by virtue of the power vested
in him as representative of the Crown, as well as by the consent
of the agents of the Hudson Bay Company. The Speaker (Dr.
Helmcken) suggested that the miners, having been allowed to go
up the river, and the Government having in a greater or less degree
assumed control of the stream, it would follow that these people had
a right to be supplied witli provisions, exclusive of the Company's
monopoly, and therefore that British vessels, duly cleared here, had
a right to proceed up the river for that purpose ; and that if the
Hudson Bay Company had neither the means nor inclination to
supply the large number of people that would be at the mines within
a short time, it appeared probable that starvation or serious calam-
ities would ensue. It would therefore be necessary and proper to
allow vessels to carry provisions. The governor replied that the
matter had given rise to serious deliberation and attention. Already
permission had been granted to two United States steamers to carry
passengers and provisions, under certain restrictions. Necessity had
compelled this action, and had also forced him to act more or less
illegally, but not unjustly. Should an emergency arise, permits
would of course be granted to other, vessels for like purposes, and
every possible means be adopted for the prevention of suffering in
the mining region.
4. ADDITIONAL VIEWS EXPRESSED. — Touching the future govern-
ment of Fraser River, his Excellency said he could not make known
the facts, as the matter was under consideration, but the regulations
and stipulations would not interfere with the rights of the Hudson
Bay Company, and the House of Assembly must recollect that what
had been done was the conjoint act of the governor as executive,
and the governor as part of the Hudson Bay Company ; and that he
had been actuated by two motives : (1) To do full justice to the
Hudson Bay Company ; (2) To promote, by every legitimate means,
the welfare and prosperity of the colony. He was always willing to
impart information to the House, and was pleased that the confer-
ence had been asked. The deputation then withdrew.
18
274 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
CHAPTEK VIII.
WATER QUESTION AND LAND REGULATIONS.
WATER SUPPLY. — The House of Assembly was called together, at
the request of his Excellency the Governor, to meet on July 3rd,
1858. Present : Messrs. Skinner, McKay, Yates, Pemberton and
Speaker Helmcken. A petition signed by Messrs. Peck, Anderson,
Young and Pearse, was received and read. The petitioners proposed
to form a company for supplying the town of Victoria with water,
a-t one cent per gallon, provided that the monopo'y of supplying the
town be granted to them for the term of fifty years ; at the expira-
tion of which time all the property of said company should fall to and
be vested in the corporation of the said town of Victoria.
A DEFINITE SCHEME REQUIRED. — After some discussion, in which
the urgency of the case was allowed and the necessity for a supply
of water admitted by all, Mr. Pemberton, seconded by Mr. Yates,
proposed, — " That this House is of opinion that an exact and definite
scheme should have been proposed, with correct plans and estimates,
showing its features and probable profits. The water company
should also state all particulars as to its formation, the number and
amount of shares and stockholders, and the amount of capital that
would be deposited previous to obtaining any grant from the House."
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
REGISTRATION BILL. — Mr. McKay asked leave to bring in a bill
on the subject of registration of real estate. Leave granted. First
reading, July 8th. The Speaker then informed the House of his
intention, with their permission, to resign his present position, and
trusted the House would elect an honorable member to till the chair.
An explanation was given that the Speaker's resignation would cause
a dissolution of the Assembly. The Speaker therefore agreed to
continue to fill the chair until the next general election.
THE ASSEMBLY MET AGAIN on the 8th of July. Present : Messrs.
Pemberton, Yates, Kennedy, McKay, Skinner and Speaker Helm-
cken. A petition from Messrs. Anderson and Pearse was received
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 275
on the subject of water monopoly, setting forth the impossibility
{in their opinion) of forming a company for supplying the town of
Victoria with water, unless the House should grant such a body the
privileges prayed for in their original application.
THE WATER QUESTION POSTPONED. — Mr. Pemberton, seconded by
Mr. Skinner, moved, — " That this House cannot re-enter upon the
question unless the resolution of the House (on July 3rd) be com-
plied with." The mover said that in all cases of companies being
formed, plans and calculations were made showing the feasibility of
the enterprise. The House could not enter upon such subjects with-
out having accurate data upon which to found an opinion. The
objects of government in such instances were to prevent any public
or private losses by fraudulent or frivolous schemes. Moreover, it
was beneath the House to pledge itself upon any private question.
He was well aware that preliminary expenses were incurred, but
such risks were unavoidable, and were part of the scheme. He was
quite sure that the House would lend its assistance to any scheme
which would tend to advance the prosperity and comfort of the
•colony. The resolution was unanimously adopted. Mr. McKay
asked leave to postpone the first reading of the Registration of Real
Estate Bill for ten days. Leave granted. The foregoing is a sample
of how legislation was carried on at Victoria in the early days of the
colony of Vancouver Island.
THE PARLIAMENTARY WORK in 1858 does not appear to have been
very onerous. The Assembly met a few times in July and considered
the water question, and resolved that his Excellency be requested to
"cause the springs and lands adjacent to the old well, which formerly
supplied the town of Victoria with water, to be reserved for the
use of the public," In committee the House further considered the
petition of Messrs. Young, Anderson and Pearse, relative to a water
company, and recommended " the House to grant a monopoly for the
term of ten years, to a joint-stock water company proving itself the
best qualified to supply the town of Victoria with water, in the
most economical and satisfactory manner, and at the earliest period."
HENRY TOOMY and his associates presented a petition praying for
certain privileges, and liberty to form a company to supply water
to the town of Victoria. Referred to committee at next meeting
of the House. The necessity for a public hospital was discussed.
There being a surplus of funds from the licensing of taverns and
beer houses, returns were asked for, showing the revenue for the
276 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
current year, and with the view of voting supplies for next year.
The dangerous condition of some of the bridges and the obstructions
to streets from building operations were discussed. Mr. McKay's
Registration Bill was introduced. It proved to be a comprehensive
and valuable document. Many pf its clauses are acted upon at the
present time. The proposed salary to the registrar was not to exceed
£1,200.
The House of Assembly held an important meeting on September
23rd. Matters relating to streets, water and gas were discussed, and
the Bill of Supply for the year was passed, as follows :
" Whereas, it is necessary that certain sums of money, amounting
to £3,000, be supplied for certain useful purposes within the colony,
be it enacted by the House of Assembly of Vancouver Island, by
and with the consent of his Excellency the Governor and honorable
Council :
"1. That £2,000 sterling be applied for the waggon roads in
certain portions of the District of Victoria, viz., Wharf Street,
from Victoria Bridge to the south end of Fort Victoria; Government
Street, from the ravine to Humbolt Street ; Johnson Street, from
Victoria Bridge to Government Street ; Yates Street, from Wharf
Street tj Government Street.
" 2. That £600 be applied to improving the road from Victoria
Bridge to the hospitals at Esquimalr.
"3. That £150 be granted for the use of the House of Assembly
of Vancouver Island.
"4. That the various sums mentioned above be paid out of the
funds received from the licenses to inns, public and beer houses."
Education was not neglected. The colonial school at Craigfiower
was examined July 31st. The report says: "The governor, who
has always been present on former occasions, was hindered from
coming by business." The Rev. E. Cridge, assisted by the teacher,
Mr. Clark, made the examination, which showed that the pupils had
made a marked improvement since last year. , Prizes sent by the
governor were given to Jessie McKenzie, William Lid gate, Christina
Veitch and Dorothea McKenzie, in the first class, and four others in
the junior classes. The girls of the school had prepared a present
of useful needlework for the governor, which, with an address from
them, was duly forwarded to his Excellency. The Victoria colonial
school was examined on the 4th of August, by Rev. Mr. Cridge and
the teacher, Mr. Kennedy. Good progress was reported, and prizes
given to Daniel Work, William Leigh, James Pottinger, and others
in the junior classes.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 277
AN IMPROMPTU SPEECH. — When Captain Richards, the boundary
commissioner, had arrived and was being received at the fort by
Governor Douglas, on the 19th of July, the procession of officials
was detained for a short time by the tiring of a salute. A large
body of miners was present, and one of them asked the governor
for his advice about their future movements. With that courtesy
for which his Excellency was celebrated, he complied in a very neat
speech. After referring generally to rumors, etc., he said :
" I will tell you as my own settled opinion that I think the country
is full of gold, and that east and north of the Fraser River there is
a gold field of incalculable value and extent ; and, if I mistake not,
you are the very men who can prove by your courage and enterprise
whether my opinion be right or wrong. . . . Now go on and
prospect, and in a few weeks you will be able to tell me what Fraser
River is. Take mining tools and food in abundance ; you will then
be independent of others, and may go to whatever part of the
country you choose. I would not advise you to go beyond Fort Yale
with your canoes, as the river is dangerous above that point ; neither
would I advise you to take the Fort Hope road, as you cannot carry
enough provisions to last you over the journey. The route by
Harrison River is, I think, the best, and we are now preparing to
get a road opened that way. . . . Let me say one word about
the Indians. They are all friendly and all thievish, therefore have
an eye to your things, and do not leave them exposed, for in that
case the Indians will steal them. Get on with them as quietly as
you can, and Government will protect you. Be careful of your
revolvers, and be not too ready to use them in your own cause.
The law of the land will do its work without fear or favor. There-
fore appeal to it in all cases; let IT do justice between man and man;
let IT defend your rights and avenge your wrongs. Now, my friends,
go on and prosper ; there is hard work before you, and I hope you
will be repaid with rich strikes and big nuggets. One word more
about the views of Government. The miner who acts in submission
to the laws, and pays the Queen's dues like an honest man, shall be
protected in person and property ; and as soon as good and trusty
men are found, measures will be taken for the conveyance and escort
of gold from the mines to this place. Every miner will give in his
own sack and his own weight, and have it addressed and sealed in
his own presence, and get a receipt for a sack said to contain so much
gold dust. It will be deposited in the public treasury at Victoria,
and delivered to the owner on production of the deposit receipt.
There will be a charge made for the expense of conveyance, but that
will be a small matter compared to the security of your property.
I now wish you all well, and shall not detain you by any further
remarks."
278 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
THE FREE PORT OF VICTORIA is referred to by a writer in the
Victoria Gazette of the 24th of July, 1858. After stating that
the United States Government prohibited all navigation of their
inland Waters, loud denunciations were indulged in at a British river,.
(the Fraser) being closed to their commerce.
" They exact a tax of $5 per month," says the writer, "from foreign
miners only, they impose a head tax on all foreign immigrants, and
to crown all have legalized a heavy property and stamp tax ; nay,
even a double tax on the merchants of San Francisco.
" Artd now, what state of affairs do we find here ? Victoria a free
port — free from all duties, free from harbor and pilot dues, and per-
fectly free for the mercantile interests of all nations — on an equal
footing. The land titles here are direct from the Crown — a title
which none can gainsay ; a simple tax of $5 per quarter is demanded
from the miner (no distinction is made between the subjects of Great
Britain and any other nation). You see here no array of policemen
to enforce the due observance of the Sabbath, yet the Sabbath is most
strictly observed.
" Again the Hudson Bay Company keep constantly on hand a
large supply of stores, which they cheerfully supply to the people
at barely remunerative rates ; and it is conceded that but for the
Company provisions would have been, ere this, at famine prices.
Even now, and for weeks past, their stores have been crowded with
purchasers, who admit that they can buy at thirty per cent, less than
from the regular trades.
" Were it necessary I could enumerate many other evidences, all
tending to prove that the government of Vancouver Island is-
administered with an impartiality, consistency and wisdom which
was not to have been anticipated. As regards Governor Douglas*
during the extraordinary excitement which has existed here, his
administration has been the theme of universal admiration, and so
far as his acts being ' repulsive to the people,'. he is, without excep-
tion, the most popular man on the island. He is admired for the
ease and facility with which he causes the laws to be strictly, though
quietly, enforced, not only for his affability and courtesy to stranger>,
but he is likewise esteemed as a gentleman au fait in all emergencies,
and in every way qualified to represent and guard the important
interests committed to his charge."
PUBLIC NOTICES. — The appointment of Alexander C. Anderson as
collector of customs at Victoria, is noticed in the Victoria Gazette
of July 3rd, and on the 15th of July he publishes the following
notice : " To avoid misapprehension, miners are informed that there
is no restriction on the amount of provisions that they are allowed
to take up the Fraser River for their own private use. Everyone
is permitted to take all his necessary supplies without let or hind-
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 279
ranee." Amongst other notices in the Gazette about that time, it is
stated that a letter designed to go to New York requires to have
twelve and a half cents paid on it in Victoria, and to have in
addition a United States stamp on the envelope; that lumber had
risen in price to $110 per thousand feet, on account of the large
number of buildings being erected ; that a license for selling and
retailing all kinds of liquor was £120, for wholesale dealing in
liquors £100, and for retailing beer £50 per annum ; that 1,900
passengers had arrived at Esquimalt, in the Sierra Nevada, from
San Francisco, on the 1st of July ; that Governor Douglas had
ordered two fire engines from San Francisco ; that the overland
travel through Yreka, via Colville, for the Fraser River country,
was estimated to average 100 per day, and that about 2,500 had
left by that route up to the 10th of July; that upwards of 3,500
mining licenses had been granted in Victoria up to the 10th of July,
1858. The issue of July 24th says: "Building is going on briskly
in all quarters of the town. Our only brick building is nearing
completion, and is shortly to be opened as a hotel." [This building has
been used as a hotel to the present day. Its moss-covered roof and
weather-worn chimney tops indicate its age of nearly half a century,
but the walls will last as long as they are kept covered with paint
and " pointed," as the bricks now are. — ED.]
SALE OF TOWN LOTS. — An extensive sale of Esquimalt town lots
took place, by auction, on the 12th of July. Twenty-five lots were
sold that day, the prices ranging from $1,450, the highest, which
was paid by Ah Gim, a Chinese merchant from San Francisco ;
the lowest brought $375. Seven Chinese were the principal buyers.
The lots measured 30x100 feet. Terms : Ten per cent, at sale,
remainder of first half of price when papers were given, and the
balance (one-half) at the expiration of three months, without interest.
SEARCH AFTER GOLD — A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION. — From the fol-
lowing description of the route to the Upper Fraser, between Forts
Hope and Yale, sixteen miles, a tolerably fair idea may be had of
what the miners had to put up with in their search after gold. The
writer states :
"There is but little mining on the river until about four miles
above Fort Hope, where bars begin to form, diverting the channel
of the stream and affording a field for mining operations. There
are probably 2,000 men engaged in mining on the river between
Forts Hope and Yale (July 28th), on Gassy Bar, Emory's Bar, Hill's
280 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Bar, Texas Bar, and other places. T. H. Moreland, a Californian
miner, said he had been working six weeks and averaged $50 a day,
and had never taken out less than an ounce ($16) in any one day,
and some days as much as $90. Beyond doubt very rich strikes have
been made on Hill's, Emory's and Texas claims. They can only be
bought at very high prices.
" At all the bars we passed, preparations were being made for the
coming winter, in the erection of substantial log houses. At Hill's
Bar I counted forty log houses already built, and several in the
course of construction. In all the tents and houses that I examined,
and I paid particular attention to the subject, there were flour and
provisions enough to last its occupants from one to four months.
There is no scarcity of provisions, nor any starvation at any point
on the river that I have visi'ed which extends to New York Bar,
two miles above Fort Yale. There may be some articles of luxury
deficient, but I refer to the great staples — flour, bacon, pork, beans,
tea, sugar, coffee, etc. The miners generally are in good spirits and
sanguine of doing well when the river falls. To be sure, there were
a few discontented men — persons unaccustomed to the rough life
before them, and who set out with entirely erroneous ideas as to the
country, and unprepared for the hardships and deprivations attendant
upon living in a wild, barren territory, peopled with rude savages.
Such, no doubt, will soon return to their old homes, carrying tales
of discouragement and dismay, but the old, experienced miner and
hardy pioneer will stay, and, I honestly believe and fervently hope,
do exceedingly well."
The description of a further portion of the trip furnishes additional
interesting particulars : " We arrived at Fort Yale in a little less
than nine hours from Fort Hope. The Indians charged us $6.50 for
bringing us up — $4 to the owner of the canoes and $2.50 to the
other. They were exceedingly expert with their oars and well
acquainted with the river, and gave us no trouble at all. I certainly
never paid out any money which I thought more fairly earned.
FORT YALE is situated on the west side of the river, on a bend, a
mile and a half below the 'lower big canyon.' The bluff is some
twenty feet above the water, and a heavily wooded 'flat,' or plain,
extends back for a mile or more up and down the river. High
mountains raise their tall and broken peaks on all sides, shutting the
town completely in.
"There are probably 700 or 800 people here, nearly all of whom
are miners, living in canvas tents, and waiting for the river to fall.
I saw no drunkenness or lawlessness of any kind. Everything was
peaceable and quiet. A number of miners were at work on the
river bank, with rockers, and most of them were making a living by
washing the loose dirt and cobble stones. I slept at Mr. Johnson's (of
Ballou's Express) tent that night, and breakfasted next morning with
my old San Francisco friend, Henry M. Snyder, whom T found
tenting a little way down the river. He gave me a good breakfast,
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 281
consisting of fried salmon, bacon, hot bread and coffee, cooked by
himself, and served in tin plates and cups — each man sitting down
tailor fashion on the ground. I had a sharp appetite, and did the
fare full justice.
" There is but one public eating-house in the town, and the invari-
able diet is bacon, salmon, bread, tea and coffee, and the charge $1 a
meal. No milk or butter is ever seen. The eating-house is kept in a
log house partly covered with bark, and with a dirt floor. Every-
thing is done in the same room, which is not more than 12 x 14, and
consequently exceedingly cramped for space and as hot as an oven.
The weather is warmer at Fort Yale during the daytime than I
have found it at any place since I left Sacramento, Cal., but with
cool mornings and evenings.
" On Tuesday morning, in company with Mr. Snyder and a half
dozen others, I started on foot up the river bank to visit the * lower
big canyon ' — one of the two worst places on the river till you get to
the ' Forks/ the junction of the Fraser and Thompson Rivers, and
twenty-two miles below the 'upper big canyon.' After clambering
over logs and up the rocky sides of mountains for a half hour or
more, cutting my boots so as to leave them valueless, wearing out the
seat of my trousers slipping over the rocks, and tearing off my
finger nails, we reached an elevation on the mountain-side which
afforded an excellent view of the ' lower big canyon.'
" On both sides of the river rise rocky mountains almost perpen-
dicularly for hundreds of feet, so that, in some places, if a stone
were dropped from their top, it would fall direct into the water
without meeting any obstacle in its descent. In the centre of the
river is a large island of solid rock, which almost chokes up the
stream, leaving only about forty feet of space on each side for the
water to pass through. The water being forced through these narrow
-channels, by its immense weight and the momentum gained in its
-descent along its steep bed, presses on with awful rapidity and power,
roaring and seething like the ocean in a storm. Here all navigation
ceases, not even the boldest and most reckless boatman daring to
attempt its passage.
"Just a little below the mouth of the canyon, on the opposite shore
from Fort Yale, lies New York Bar, settled mostly by a party of
New York and San Francisco boatmen — chief among whom is the
notorious Martin Gallagher, of vigilance committee notoriety, being
•one of the men expatriated by that organization from San Francisco.
It is said some very rich strikes have been made on this bar. A port-
Age of three hundred yards of both canoe and passengers, and then
the river can be navigated until the ' upper big canyon' is reached,
though with great difficulty, as there are three 'little canyons' still
to be overcome. I understood at Fort Yale, that Mons. Rouhaud
<fe Sons, French capitalists, have written to Governor Douglas, asking
*he privilege of being allowed to run a ferry between the two ' big
•canyons' — small stern-wheelers to be used.
282 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
" On our return, about half-past noon, the town was thrown into a
high state of excitement, upon hearing the report of a cannon and
the screechings of a steam-whistle, and a rumor gaining circulation
that a little stern-wheel steamer was on her way up the river. Every-
body was soon on the lookout, and canoes were sent beyond the bend
of the river, to ascertain the cause of the strange noises and the
truth of the report. Soon we learned by the shoutings along the
banks of the river and the continuous discharge of guns and pistols,
that the report was true; whereupon, there was the greatest rejoicing
and pleasure manifested by everyone, and powder was burnt amidst
the wildest excitement.
" In a few minutes, the Umatilla — the pioneer steamboat on Eraser
River above Fort Hope — made her first appearance to the people
of Yale, and was warmly welcomed. Before her plank was shoved
ashore, a number of men were clambering up her sides, eager to get
aboard. The Indians, too, partook of the enthusiasm, and seemed
delighted at — to them — the novel spectacle. She made the passage
from Fort Hope to Fort Yale in five hours, one hour of which time
she was aground, but without any accident. Immediately after
arrival a dinner was prepared on board, and a number of the
principal inhabitants invited to partake of it. After dinner, exactly
at thirteen minutes past three o'clock, she started on her first down
trip. Desiring to be one of the passengers of the first steamboat that
ever penetrated above Fort Hope on her pioneer trip, I put my
blankets aboard. We came down like 'a streak of chain lightning,'
with a very light head of steam, being precisely fifty-one minutes on
the way. On her upward passage, she was welcomed by the miners
on the banks of the river with shouts of joy, and the firing of guns
and pistols all along the route.
" At all places on the river, including Hope and Yale, there were
no restrictions on trade, and merchandise of all descriptions was
openly retailed to both Indians and whites. There were, however,
but few stores, and the stocks of goods consisted chiefly of flour and
provisions, mining utensils, etc. The Hudson Bay Company claim
the exclusive right of trading on the river, and it is presumed will
assert their right as soon as practicable. No doubt its inability to
furnish the provisions, or fear of causing suffering, is the motive
which has induced them to wink at this infraction of their alleged
exclusive privilege. Whilst there is no immediate danger from
starvation, the supply of the prime necessaries of life being sufficient
co meet the present population for at least two months, still there
are many articles, such as suitable clothing, boots and shoes, etc.,
which can scarcely be had at any price. 1 have no doubt invoices of
dry goods, clothing, etc., would Tneet with a ready and profitable sale.
" Probably not one in ten of the miners who own claims, or one
in five of the whole number on the river, have ever purchased any
license to mine ; and there is consequently much complaint on the
part of those who complied with the law, and they are shown no-
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 28$
favor over those who refused or have failed to do so. It is only such
as came up in the steamers that have purchased licenses those who
came in canoes failing to do so. This discrimination has engendered
much prejudice against the steamer Surprise, who in every case has
insisted on her passengers showing their mining licenses, under penalty
of being put ashore. To be sure, her officers were doing no more
than their plain duty in fulfilling the terms of her ' sufferance' to
navigate the river; but these things are not properly understood by
everyone ; in a short time, however, it is to be expected, all these
things will be remedied to the mutual advantage of all parties.
"The Indians, as high up as the ' upper big canyon' (twenty-five
miles above Fort Yale), are not at all troublesome, but on the con-
trary, kind and willing to work at comparatively low wages. The
influence exerted over them by the Hudson Bay Company is won-
derful, and reflrcts great credit on the Company. Nowhere else
have I ever found Indians so tractable and industrious, and so well
disposed, and I have had some experience among the Indians of the
Southern and Western States. They may pilfer a little, but if rum
is kept from them, any other crime is almost unknown. They will
serve the white man faithfully as guides or boatmen, for a small
amount of money or cast-off clothing. A penny whistle or a brass
button takes wonderfully. Three friends of mine were carried half a
day in a canoe for the former article.
" The tribes along the ' upper big canyon,' having had less inter-
course with the whites, and not being so fully under the influence of
the Hudson Bay Company, are inclined to be hostile. In one or
more instances, they have stopped miners on the way up to the
'forks' of Fraser and Thompson Rivers, and forced them to surrender
their coats and even their boots, together with a portion of the
provisions the poor fellows had lugged many a weary mile on their
backs. I am told on credible authority, so bold and audacious has
this tribe become that a few days ago a party of Frenchmen were
stopped, when an Indian proposed to trade some salmon for jerked
beef; which offer being declined, one of the Indians shot the
Frenchman through the head. His party fled, leaving their comra le
bleeding on the ground, where he was discovered some hours after-
wards by another party of miners on the trail. Though not dead
when found, he died within a few minutes afterwards. This unpro-
voked murder caused a great deal of feeling, and there was a talk of
organizing a company at Hope and Yale to chastise the perpetrators
of ~it. The action of H. M. Snyder, as referred to, restored the former
safe order of working."
284? HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
CHAPTEE IX.
LICENSE FEES AND MINING CLAIMS.
MINING REGULATIONS were soon afterwards enforced, under which
persons occupying portions of the gold-fields, by erecting temporary
buildings, tents, etc., and carrying on business in any way, were
required to pay a fee of thirty shillings ($7.50) monthly, for the use
of the land so occupied by them, and which they were required to
pay in advance or on demand to the officer appointed to receive license
fees. Persons desirous of establishing claims to new and unoccupied
ground by working in the ordinary method for alluvial gold, might
have their claims marked out on the following scale : 1. Twenty-five
feet frontage, in rivers, to each person. 2. Twenty-five feet of the
bed of a creek, or ravine, to each person. 3. Twenty feet square of
table-land or river fiats to each person. Every such claim to be
voided by the failure on the part of the claimant to work the same
within ten days after the date of his acceptance, and persons found
working on such, or any other ground without license ($5 monthly)
previously paid for to the proper officer^ shall pay double the
amount of such license, and in default, be proceeded against in the
usual manner.
THE PUGET SOUND AGRICULTURAL COMPANY had three well-stocked
farms in the neighborhood of Victoria. They were known as the
Oraigflower or Mackenzie farm, the Skinner and the Longford
farms, each under the charge of a bailiff or manager, who though
not under the Hudson Bay Company, acted in harmony with them.
Every branch of the Agricultural Company's business was conducted
on the most thorough and liberal scale ; the buildings, massive and
•convenient, were built principally of stone. None but the best breed of
cattle, horses or sheep were imported, and the machinery used was of
the most improved kind. Crops generally were good, but better
adapted for stock-raising than for grain. Vegetables did remarkably
well. At the settlement of Craigflower, about two and a half miles
from Victoria, there were from fourteen to twenty families, a well-
•cultivated central farm with saw mill, oatmeal mill, etc. The Company
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 285
yet retain considerable land on Vancouver Island, which is held for
sale under the agency of the Hudson Bay Company.
THE AFRICAN RACE. — In those early days there was only one place
of public worship in Victoria, of which the Rev. Mr. Cridge was
pastor, as well as chaplain to the Hudson Bay Company. From the
public journal then published, it appears that certain parties from the
United States felt aggrieved because a few negroes attended Mr.
Cridge's church, and addressed a letter to him through the press on
the subject, stating that the "Ethiopians perspired', that several
white gentlemen left their seats vacant and sought the purer atmo-
sphere outside; others moodily endured the aromatic luxury of their
positions, in no very pious frame of mind ; that the negro has his
proper place among created beings; to make him our equal he must
submit to being skinned, renovated, ' born anew,' or any other process
of change to make him white."
A CORRESPONDENT replied, and amongst other things said :
"Now, what is 'the head and front of the offence' 1 A large
number of the colored people of the State of California, who, as a
body of industrious, law-abiding citizens, had no superiors in the State,
cheerfully paying their thousands into the State coffers for the
sustenance of the Government ; were despoiled of their property and
their persons maltreated; taxed for the support of common school*,
and their children driven from the school-house door ; mad« to pay
poll tax, and then driven from the polls. To these wrongs they
submitted, under earnest protests, for a series of years, . . . but
feeling that forbearance had ceased to be a virtue, they left the land
of their nativity around which clustered a thousand recollections of
home, friends and kindred, for what at that time was comparatively
a distant and desolate region, there to build themselves a home and
establish a character, unmolested beneath the genial laws of the
British Government. Victoria, at that time, had all the appearance
of a quiet country village.
"The colored people, unknown to themselves, were the pioneers of
a large immigration. They came to escape the tyranny and oppression
of Republican Democratic church-going California, believing that
there in the Church of God, above all other places, all distinction and
animosities should be buried. They were received by this Government
with all that frankness and cordiality so peculiarly British ; welcomed
and assured by those in power that they should have the same legal
protection, and enjoy the same immunities, other things being equal,
as could the most favored subjects ; and that the color of their skin
should never debar them from' their rights. Right nobly have they
maintained their former good character, and we shall be greatly
disappointed in British character and honesty should they prove false
to their trust."
286 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
GOVERNOR DOUGLAS, accompanied by Crown Solicitor and Attorney
George Pearkes, J. W. McKay, Donald Fraser, Charles B. Young,
and other prominent citizens and government officials, left Victoria
on the 30th of August for Fort Hope, Fraser River. The object of
the visit, more especially, was to quell as much as possible the
difficulties and discontent which were growing between the miners
and the natives, and to make treaties of peace amongst them. It was
.also apparent that additional peace officers should be appointed at the
more important mining points. On the 3rd of September the gover-
nor reached Fort Hope. A salute was fired in his honor, and every
respect was paid to his Excellency by the miners and others. The
Indians looked upon him as an old friend to be trusted, and as
governor to be obeyed.
A PROCLAMATION WAS ISSUED at Fort Hope setting forth that
anyone convicted before a magistrate of selling or giving spirituous
liquors to the natives of Fraser River or elsewhere, would be fined
from five to twenty pounds. Permission was granted aliens to hold
lands for three years without being interfered with, but after that
time they must become naturalized British subjects or convey them
to British subjects, otherwise the lands would be forfeited. A court
of justice was held at Fort Hope by the Crown solicitor, and several
offenders punished. A present was made to Spintlum, chief at the
Forks, and instructions given him how he should conduct himself
and his tribe towards the miners. Ten troopers, one warden of the
river, and one sub-commissioner were to be stationed at the Forks ;
at Fort Hope, one justice of the peace, two regular and ten special
constables; for Fort Yale, one sub-commissioner, ten troopers, and
ten special constables. A miner named Eaton, who had murdered a
comrade named King, was committed to the court, convicted of
manslaughter on the testimony of six witnesses from Hill Bar, and
sentenced to transportation for life.
The issue of the Victoria Gazette of the 16th of September notices
that a new map of the town of Victoria had just been completed by
the colonial surveyor, and was open for inspection by the public at
the land office. On the map the names of streets are given, "having
been chosen by that officer." They are classified : first, those in honor
of the governors of the island, Blanshard and Douglas ; second, in
compliment to distinguished navigators on this coast, Vancouver,
Cook, etc. ; third, those named after the first ships that visited our
waters, Discovery, Herald, Cormorant, etc.; fourth, those in honor
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 287
of Arctic explorers, Franklin, Kane, Rae, etc.; fifth, those named
after Canadian cities, lakes, rivers, etc.
REFORMS ESTABLISHED. — Governor Douglas returned from his
Eraser River trip on the 26th of September, having accomplished
much good by his presence amongst the miners, who gave him due
praise for the many valuable reforms which his wisdom enacted.
He made several speeches at principal points, giving the miners good
advice, and assuring them of the sympathy and encouragement of the
Government. Mr. McKay, a member of the Legislative Assembly,
who had accompanied the governor to Fraser River, was instructed
by him to return by way of Big Lillooet Lake to the coast, to
ascertain the practicability of a route from the coast to the mines
in that direction.
A PARTY WAS FORMED which followed at first the road-cutting
expedition of the Lillooet-Harrison route to the head of Big Lillooet
Lake. After proceeding some distance along a river which entered
the lake from the west, a trail leading towards the coast was taken,
and in five days' march the head of Howe Sound was reached — a
distance of fifty-five miles. A portion of the route was along the
Skowhomish River, which discharged at the head of Howe Sound.
The valley, Mr. McKay reported, is well timbered, and, if cleared,
would make good farming land. The rocks in the neighborhood are
principally slate, granite and basalt. The mountains on the east
side of the valley appear to be composed of soft red marl. Mr.
McKay concluded that from Howe Sound to the valley of the
Lillooet, the pass he had travelled over, was the shortest and best
route to the upper Fraser. The expense, however, of opening up
the new road, as well as other considerations connected with the
established route, prevented the attempt being- made to travel by
Howe Sound.
FORT LANGLEY. — Preparations were now being made at old Fort
Langley to be in readiness for the arrival of the Royal Engineers
and others expected from England in connection with the new seat
of government on the mainland. A sale of town lots was advertised
to take place at Victoria, on or about the 20th of October, the upset
price to be $100 per single lot of 64 x 120 feet; lots to be sold
without reservation, unless for the use of the Government. Barracks
were built. The roof was laid by William Clarkson, from Oshawa>
Ontario, yet (1893) a resident in New Westminster. [Mr. Clarkson
died in 1894. — ED.]
288 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
WHISKEY, POWDER AND SHOT. — The practice of supplying liquor
to Indians on the Fraser River and at other places had been the
cause of much trouble amongst the miners. At Yale, in August, a
case is reported where some parties had been selling whiskey to the
Indians, keeping them in a drunken and troublesome state. The
agent of the Hudson Bay Company, Donald Walker, supported by
the well-disposed citizens, proceeded to the premises where the liquor
was kept for the purpose of putting a stop to the traffic by destroy-
ing the stock on hand. Mr. Walker was attacked by an outsider,
when a fight ensued, during which the officious party had a portion
of his nose bitten off. The verdict of the people was, "served him
right," as the fellow had no other interest in the matter than that he
did not wish to see the whiskey destroyed in what appeared to him
a wanton manner. The report goes on to say that " the business of
supplying the savages with liquor by the whites has found a counter-
part in their being furnished with arms and ammunition by the Chinese.
A boat loaded with these pestiferous people arrived at a bar on the
lower end of the Big Canyon, where a company of whites were at
work, and proceeded to sell powder and shot to the Indians. They
were at once driven away, when the Indians jumped into their
canoes and brought them back, threatening the whites in case they
further molested them."
RESIGNED HIS FACTORSHIP. — In compliance with Lord Lytton's
request that Governor Douglas should sever all official connection
with the Hudson Bay Company, and with the Puget Sound Agricul-
tural Company, the governor informed his Lordship he had resigned
his factorship and disposed of his stock, and would accept the offered
governorship of the proposed new colony of British Columbia, which
the recent gold discoveries had rendered necessary to be established
without delay.
FORMER LICENSE REVOKED — BRITISH COLUMBIA MADE A COLONY.
— On the 2nd of September, 1858, the Crown revoked the privileges
of exclusive trade with the Indians which had been granted on the
30th of May, 1838, for twenty-one years from that date, by passing
an Act to provide for the government of British Columbia, which
by that Act was created a colony. A proclamation was issued at
Victoria, on the 3rd of November, by Governor Douglas, and a copy
of the revocation published for the information and guidance of all
persons interested therein. Thus ended the monopoly of the Hudson
Bay Company on the mainland, west of the Rocky Mountains.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 289
MADE GOVERNOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. — The proclamation of the
revocation just referred to, was followed by another, dated from Fort
Langley, 19th November, 1858. The commission appointing Governor
Douglas also governor of the new colony, had arrived from London.
Chief Justice Begbie had also arrived from England. To perform
the ceremony of installing Governor Douglas into his new office,
his Excellency was accompanied from Victoria by Rear-Admiral
Baynes, Mr. Cameron, Chief Justice of Vancouver Island, Chief
Justice Begbie, of the new colony, and several others, in H.M.S.
Satellite, Captain Prevost. They anchored for the night at Point
Roberts. Next morning the party was transferred to the Hudson
Bay Company's steamer Otter, and thence to the Company's steamer
Beaver, which was moored within the mouth of Eraser River.
THE REPORT STATES that " both vessels then proceeded in company
as far as old Eort Langley, when the Otter disembarked a party of
eighteen sappers, under the command of Captain Parsons. They
embarked on the revenue cutter Recovery, joining the command of
Captain Grant, R.E., who had previously reached this spot with a
party of the same corps. The two captains mentioned had recently
arrived from England, each in command of small detachments of the
Royal Engineers. The Beaver then proceeded with his Excellency
and suite aboard to new Fort Langley, when preparations were made
for the ceremonial of the following day."
A GUARD OF HONOR, commanded by Captain Grant, was in readiness
the next day (19th) to receive his Excellency and party as they
disembarked. The morning was wet, and the road leading to the
palisade rather slippery. As the party reached the top of the bank, a
salute of eighteen guns was tired from the Beaver, and the British flag
hoisted over the principal entrance to the fort. Owing to the
unpropitious state of the weather, the meeting which was intended to
have been held in the open air, was convened in a large room at the
principal building. About one hundred persons were present.
THE CEREMONIES. — His Excellency commenced the ceremonies by
addressing Mr. Begbie, and delivering to him her Majesty's commission
as judge in the colony of British Columbia (ipso facto Chief Justice).
Mr. Begbie then took the oath of allegiance and the usual oaths on
taking office ; thereafter, addressing his Excellency, he took up her
Majesty's commission appointing Governor Douglas to the office of
Governor of British Columbia. Mr. Begbie, having read the
commission in full, administered to Governor Douglas the usual oaths
19
290 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
•of office, viz., allegiance, abjuration, etc. His Excellency being thus
-duly appointed and sworn in, proceeded to issue the proclamations of
the same date (November 19th), viz.: One proclaiming the Act
•establishing the colony ; a second indemnifying all the officers of the
•Government from any irregularities which may have been committed
in the interval before the proclamation of the Act; and a third
proclaiming English law to be the law of the colony. The proclama-
tion referring to the revocation of the exclusive privileges of the
Hudson Bay Company, was also read. The proceedings then
terminated. The governor did not leave the fort until next day,
when a salute of seventeen guns was fired from the battlements. On
leaving on the Beaver, his Excellency was loudly cheered.
A SALE OF LANGLEY TOWN LOTS, as previously advertised, came off
^it Victoria, on the 25th, 26th and 29th November. The land was
laid out or divided into 183 blocks of five by ten chains, and the
blocks subdivided into eighteen lots of 64 x 120 feet. Nineteen
blocks were reserved for government uses in different portions of the
town. The width of the streets was seventy-eight feet, with an alley-
way of twelve feet in width through each block. The streets were
not named. The new town was located upon the site of the old Fort
Langley, thirty-three miles from the mouth of Fraser River. Upset
price of lots, $100. Printed receipts for lots purchased were given,
signed by J. D. Pemberton, acting Colonial Surveyor, and contained
the following clause : " All interest in, and title to, the said lot, and
to this instalment, to cease and become void, unless the balance is
paid within the space of one calendar month from this date." The
town as laid out and sold was named DERBY.
THE BIDDING on the first day of the sale was very spirited, at
prices ranging from $150 to $750, according to location. About two
hundred lots were sold, yielding $41,000. On the second day, up to
one o'clock the bidding was lively, but the best lots having been sold,
the prices obtained were not so high as the previous day, ranging from
$100 to $400 per lot. The two days' sale showed about four hundred
lots disposed of, the proceeds amounting to about $68,000. Before
commencing the sale, the following announcement was made in regard
to the rights of foreigners to hold and transfer real estate :
" 1st. According to the law of England, which is also the law of
British Columbia, an alien may hold lands, but is liable to have them
declared forfeited to the Crown at any time.
" 2nd. No alien can be disturbed in the possession of lands by any
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 291
other person than the Crown authorities, by reason only of his being
an alien.
" 3rd. The Colonial Government proposes to secure to aliens the full
rights of possession and enjoyment of any lands which they may
purchase at the sale for the space of three years. At the end of that
time they must, if they wish to continue to hold the lands, either
become themselves naturalized British subjects, or else convey their
rights to British subjects.
" 4th. It is the intention of the Colonial Government to obtain from
the home Government their sanction to measures for carrying into
effect the above views, which measures are now in course of prepara-
tion. But they must depend for their full effect on the ratification by
the home Government. By order of the Governor. Victoria, V. I.,
25th November, 1858."
CHAPTEE X.
INCREASED TKADE— NEW BUILDINGS AND ROADS.
VICTORIA being a free port at this time, the following comparative
view of imposts in California (1), Vanco-uver Island (2), and British
Columbia (3), is taken from the Victoria Gazette, of November 20th,
1858 : COASTING TRADE. — (1) Closed against foreign flags. INLAND
NAVIGATION. — (1) Closed against foreign flags ; (3) almost unrestricted.
IMPORT DUTIES. — (1) From 15 to 30 per cent, ad valorem, on most
.articles of foreign production. If exported, duty anew on every
re-importation ; (2) none ; (3) ten per cent, ad valorem, indiscrimin-
ately. ENTERING AND CLEARING FOREIGN VESSELS. — (1) Entry and
surveyor's fee at custom house, $6.10 ; emigrant agent, $.'5 ; clearance
fee, $2.50 ; total, $11.60 ; (2) $10 in all on foreign vessels; $3 in all
on British vessels; (3) sufferance fee for foreign vessels, $12, to
navigate Eraser River. TONNAGE DUES. — (1) One per cent, per ton ;
harbor master's fee, 4 per cent, per ton ; total, 5 per cent, per ton ;
{2) none; (3) none. PILOTAGE. — (1) Compulsory, $10 per foot,
inwards ; $8 per foot, outwards ; with 5 per cent, on pilotage
additional to pilot commissioner ; (2) optional, $2 per foot, when
employed; (3) optional, no established pilots. HEAD MONEY. — (1) On
•entering the state, $5 ; on departing from the state, $6 ; (2) none ;
{3) entry $2, departure nothing — recently abolished. MINING
292 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
LICENSE. — (1) $4 per month on foreigners, citizens exempt ; (2) none ;
(3) $5 per month indiscriminately upon all nations, including British
subjects. GENERAL TAXATION. — (1) San Francisco, about 3 per cent,
on the value of all property, real and personal; tax on general business,
merchants, bankers, etc., according to amount of business done ; bills
of lading heavily taxed ; attorneys, brokers and auctioneers taxed ;
poll tax on male adults, $3 ; (2) none ; (3) none hitherto imposed.
THE CURRENT YEAR OF 1858 was most eventful in Vancouver
Island, as well as on the mainland. In Victoria it brought wonderful
changes, by increased trade, additional buildings, and extending and
making new streets and roads. A building had been erected on
Government Street, near where the post-office now stands. It was
designed for the governor's office, and was styled the Government
House, whence all his Excellency's documents were dated. Governor
Douglas, in 1856-57, had a private residence built, on the south side
of James Bay. He occupied that residence during his term of office
as governor of both colonies, and afterwards until his death. A
bridge was proposed to be built across the bay in line with Government
Street, towards the expense of which the Legislature voted £800.
To the mainland thousands of miners and traders and others had
found their way, and many of them were highly fortunate in obtaining
GOLD. Others were unfortunate and discouraged. The difficulty in
transporting supplies beyond navigation on the Fraser compelled
thousands to remain at the lower bars ; and it was not until
the Harrison-Lillooet route was opened, so that the unnavigable
canyons could be avoided, that sufficient supplies of food could
be brought to the Upper Fraser. After that road was con-
structed men passed in thousands over it, and supplies in com-
parative abundance reached Thompson River. There were few
miners on the Thompson, but they had penetrated thither by way
of the Columbia River, and since April had been obtaining large
returns, although working under great disadvantage, on the verge of
starvation.
By reason of the causes stated, a large number of old California
experts were congregated at the lower bars, especially at Hill's Bar,
amongst whom could be found many of the wild and abandoned
characters who had made unsavory reputations for themselves in the
" Golden State." Their treatment of the Indians on sundry occasions
was not of the most gentle kind, yet by regulations framed by them-
selves, a wonderful state of order was maintained at all the thirteen
THE COLONIAL PERIOD. 293
bars. There were a few, however, who committed acts calculated
to inflame the worst passions of the natives. The natives were
charged with having committed many murders. Bodies of white men
were found on the river banks and in the water, mutilated beyond
recognition. At length a large number of the miners were enrolled
and an expedition formed to overawe the Indians. Treaties were
made with the natives, as formerly referred to.
Of the many thousands who reached Fraser River early in the year,
all but about four thousand are said to have left before the middle of
summer. The cause of the exodus was the seemingly inaccessible
character of the approaches to the upper portions of the river,
together with the fact that, owing to high water, the bars could not
be worked until after midsummer. Another influx of miners took
place in October. The majority of them, however, returned before
winter set in. In the face of all the difficulties which had been
experienced in the space of eight months the country had been
populated, and a colony had been established. It is next to impossible
for parties not then present to realize the hardships which those early
prospectors had to endure. Many of them had added largely to their
wealth, others returned poorer than when they came in. A remnant
remained in the new towns and mining centres to try their fortunes
next year.
The newly surveyed town of Langley was expected to become the
capital of British Columbia. Work had already been begun on
barracks to receive the expected Royal Engineers on their arrival, as
it was known they were en voyage, via Cape Horn, for Victoria.
Tenders 'were advertised for by December 1st, Acting Colonial
Surveyor Pemberton calling for tenders to erect at Langley a parsonage,
church, court-house and jail, according to plans and specifications to
be seen at the land office. A proclamation was issued December
3rd, authorizing the levying of custom duties upon goods, as specified,
imported into the colony of British Columbia. Prior to that date a
specific duty of ten per cent, ad valorem was collected at Victoria on
all goods sent into the mining districts. The Sisters of Charity
published a notice of the opening of St. Ann's school, on the same
date, at Victoria.
COLONEL MOODY arrived at Victoria on November 25th, 1858. He
travelled via Panama, in company with Captain Grant and his
detachment of twenty-five Royal Engineers. On the 10th of Jan-
uary3 1859, a rumor reached Victoria that an outbreak had occurred
294 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
at Yale, and that Colonel Moody who had already gone to Langley,
had, on receiving intelligence of the difficulty referred to, proceeded'
to the scene of action, taking along with him the twenty-five Royal
Engineers, who had arrived with him in the
colony. Governor Douglas deemed it pru-
dent to strengthen Colonel Moody's hands.
He was aware that a large number of desper-
ate characters were wintering at Hill's Bar,
and amongst them a certain character, Ed-
ward McGowan, who, although noted for
many attractive social qualities, had others
which led him to become obnoxious to the
laws of whatever country he favored with
COLONEL MOODY.
At the request, therefore, of Governor
Douglas, Captain Prevost supplied a party of marines and blue jackets
from the Satellite, under Lieutenant Gooch. They embarked on board
the Plumper, which was the only available vessel at the time at
Esquimalt. Captain Richards at once proceeded to Langley. On
arriving there, they found that Colonel Moody had taken the Enter-
prise, the only steamer then on the river capable of going farther up
it than Langley, and pushed on to Yale, with twenty-five of the
engineers under Captain Grant, R.E. It was considered advisable
that the men should remain on board the Plumper, and that a mes-
senger should at once follow and overtake Colonel Moody.
"This service," says Commander Mayne in his excellent work,
" Four Years in British Columbia and Vancouver Island," " devolved
upon me (then Lieutenant Mayne of the Plumper), and I received
orders to proceed up the river with despatches from Captain Richards,
informing the colonel of the force at Langley.
"Mr. Yale, the Hudson Bay Company's officer at Fort Langley,
un